1. Judenstern (Yellow Star):
- The most infamous symbol used to label Jews was the yellow star, also known as the Judenstern.
- It was a six-pointed yellow star of David that Jews were forced to wear prominently on their clothing in order to identify them as Jewish.
- The yellow star made Jews easily recognizable and vulnerable to discrimination, harassment, and violence.
2. Other Labels:
- In addition to the yellow star, Jews were also labeled with other derogatory terms, including:
- "Untermensch" (Subhuman)
- "Schädlinge" (Vermin)
- "Parasiten" (Parasites)
- These labels were used in propaganda, media, and public discourse to portray Jews as a threat to German society, justifying their persecution and eventual genocide.
3. Exclusion and Segregation:
- The labels assigned to Jews served as a means of segregating them from the rest of society.
- Jews were excluded from public spaces, businesses, schools, and other institutions, and were forced to live in designated Jewish ghettos.
- This physical and social isolation further dehumanized Jews and made them more vulnerable to violence and persecution.
4. Dehumanizing Language:
- The Nazis also employed dehumanizing language when referring to Jews.
- They frequently used terms like "rats," "lice," and "disease" to describe Jews, associating them with filth, infestation, and danger.
- This language contributed to the overall process of dehumanizing Jews, making it easier for the Nazi regime and its supporters to justify their actions and commit atrocities against the Jewish population.
The labels used during the Holocaust were not only a means of identification but also a powerful tool of propaganda and social control. They served to reinforce the false and harmful stereotypes about Jews and laid the groundwork for the systematic persecution and genocide that followed.