Forward progress
We need to understand with every breath we take that those in the circle we call “White Rose” were heroes not because they were perfect, but because they acted on the courage of their convictions.
There’s been a lot going on “behind the scenes” the last few weeks. The renewed energy is a fun mix of finishing the digital version of White Rose History, Volume II; residual effect of five weeks in Bad Heilbrunn (fresh mountain air and good friends make a great combination!); and of course, the advent of spring. My maple trees are showing off their greenery, Dutch clover is attracting birds and bees, corn stalks are making their presence known.
I love the vitality of this season. We’ve hunkered down through winter, done what needs doing. We’ve grabbed sunshine as we can, grateful for breaks from snow and ice.
Once spring comes? Ahh, windows raised, shirtsleeves rolled up, the year is finding its footing.
Three things have been consuming waking hours, and I think you will like all three.
First, Salesforce gave us their nonprofit CRM and comprehensive “NPSP.” I’m working on customizing and setting it up. This will allow Center for White Rose Studies to understand your needs and interests better. Tracking interests in Microsoft Outlook was all right back in 2021. But it has become challenging as you communicate with us more frequently.
Not complaining! I simply want to stay on top of things. Look for improved interaction as this project moves forward.
Second, I’ve been working slowly but ever so surely towards getting more of the Protokolle or Gestapo interrogation transcripts and related documents ready for publication in English translation. Translation work was completed in 2002-2007 and used in the Histories. Watch this space for announcements regarding publication of Protokolle for Hans Hirzel, Susanne Hirzel, Traute Lafrenz, Hans Leipelt, Franz Josef Müller, Christoph Probst, and more.
Finally, a longstanding dream is being realized. Drum roll, please.
As of June 4, there will be a daily “podcast” – really a serialized audio book in podcast format – of White Rose History, Volume II. Each segment is short, only 10-15 minutes long. The first three chapters will be free to all. That’s about thirteen days’ worth.
Beginning with Chapter 4, the audio will be available only to paid subscribers. Notes (text attachedk to the podcast) will remain visible to all subscribers, free and paid.
Before starting, I checked out a bunch of Substack podcasts to see how other people handled length, notes/text, and so on. It appears that for every five podcasters, there are ten ways to do it. None right, none wrong.
Soooo… I chose the short version. Notes/text essentially become an outline of the day’s reading, together with bibliography for that section.
This also means that you will receive a daily email for these podcasts. What you can expect: Daily podcast emails delivered at 8 a.m. EDT every morning; and, twice-weekly newsletter emails at 10 a.m.
If you’re not interested in email notifications for the audio book, you can unsubscribe from that “section” [Substack terminology] and keep receiving emails about newsletters. Or vice versa. Substack provides good instructions on how to do this.
I’ve already done the paperwork for this to be available on Apple’s podcast system, as well as Spotify. Once the first segment is live (first ten are already uploaded, but not yet live), the RSS feed should kick in. If everything works as it should, you’ll have the option of listening on Apple Play or Spotify. Notes and comments are available only on Substack, however.
Sound quality for the first ten segments was not 100%. Initially I saved money by buying an inexpensive podcast microphone. You get what you pay for. I’ve since upgraded to a Blue Yeti mic, and rerecorded all ten segments. This project is that important to me.
As you will hear – and read – in tomorrow’s introductory segment, this project has long been a dream because the White Rose story is one that needs to be told. Yes, written about. Yes, essays, theses, and dissertations. Yes, lectures. It deserves the full-on scholarly treatment.
My Histories combine the rigor of scholarship with narrative. Because of the current status of White Rose scholarship, indeed, of scholarship related to German resistance in general, it’s necessary to go above and beyond with footnotes and documentation. As long as the legend remains so firmly entrenched, proof is more important than ever. [It’s always important. Just more important because of Legend.]
But reading with footnotes can be choppy, as your eye tends to be drawn to the bottom of the page, away from the flow of words. A tender scene, or a gut-wrenching moment, can be destroyed with that superscripted number instructing you to read, “ZC13267, Volume 2, 2/20/1943 interrogation of Hans Scholl.”
I fervently hope that this audio book, with its daily nuggets, will grant you an unimpeded view of their lives, their work, their deaths. Their legacy.
These days more than ever, we need this story. We need a reminder that no matter how dark an era, there are always brave individuals who make the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of liberty, of justice, of freedom, for all. We need to know, to understand with every breath we take, that the students and adults in the circle we call “White Rose” were heroes not because they were perfect, but because they acted on the courage of their convictions.
We need to comprehend that that is also our assignment, the thing that gives life meaning and hope.
That is Why This Matters.
© 2024 Denise Elaine Heap. Please contact us for permission to quote.
To order digital version of White Rose History, Volume II, click here. Digital version of White Rose History, Volume I is available here.