Chronicling the Roman Stumbling Blocks or Stolpersteine has been a special project of mine since I first became aware of their existence when I went to Berlin. Most people don’t notice the Stumbling Blocks, because in Rome it’s hard to force yourself to look down at the ground while you wander around because the light! the ruins! the pastel buildings! Why would you look down?? I get strange glances when I pull up short, pause, point my camera towards the ground, and take a moment to consider the lives ruined and lost. But as I’ve suggested over, and over, and over, watch out for these small markers of terrible history. Remembering the awfulness of the past can hopefully help provide a more critical eye for the present. Because even in lovely, sunny Italy there are storms.
