Reflections on Ina’s Conversation

Listening to the conversation between Professor Ina Gamila and Professor Wong, who grew up in East Germany was deeply fascinating. She spoke with a sense of nostalgia for the country of her childhood, but also with a deep pain for the oppression and surveillance she and her family endured under the Stasi regime. Her reaction to Professor Wong’s questions regarding the nature of life and the brutality that the Stasi inflicted was a stark reminder of the lasting trauma that can result from living under an authoritarian government.

Ina also spoke about the evolution of the school system in East Germany, describing how the focus mainly centered around memorization and obedience, which is very different than many modern educational approaches which focus on more critical thinking and creativity. I know that in the past, many schools around the world, including the US used corporal punishment for misbehaving students. I wonder how this academic approach in East Germany differed from the West as well as other countries at the time.

Lastly, the American grocery store is a marvel of convenience and abundance. We can often see shelves neatly arranged, with virtually endless variety. This is something that I feel is still rather American to this date. Listening to Ina discuss the rationing system in East Germany helped to highlight the economic, political and cultural differences between East Germany and the West. Overall, listening to this conversation, provided a valuable perspective on life in East Germany and some of the lasting effects of living under a repressive regime.