KarMel
Scholarship 2007
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“Different Angles” By Megan
Stublefield |
Desciption of Submission: This is a poem addressing the fact
that the inverted pink and black triangles now worn in homosexual rights
circles were originally used by the Nazis, as a way of labeling homosexual
people, respective to their gender, in their concentration camps. I also mentioned
other innocent victims of the Nazis, and the 'Hindu mark of peace' in the last
stanza refers to the swastika, another symbol whose history is forgotten.
Stanza four acknowledges the fact that homosexual men were scapegoats for
anyone violent within the camps; yet another dark side to an unbelievably cruel
period in human history. Black triangles were worn by several groups within the
camps, but I didn't want my point lost in too many details.
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Vertical-striped uniforms; Opposing black and white Less conflict from the
prisoners Who’d all but lost the fight. Two triangles of yellow Overlapped, inverted; A mark of spirituality Now monstrously perverted.
A triangle of scarlet For those who showed
dissent Against their jailors’
brutal conquest; Unwilling to repent. A triangle of pink On men, for loving men; Prey for both jailors and
captives – Soon their beatings will
begin. A triangle of blackness For girls perceived as
sinning, And all the women branded
for Their love of other women. Triangles of pink or black Were seen in later years Worn without the knowledge
of their Origins in mortal fears. Triangles are symbols; the
Hindu mark of peace as
well: Their histories forgotten;
not The messages we sell. |