In World War II, Nazi Germany established brothels in the concentration camps (Lagerbordell or Freudenabteilungen “Joy Divisions”) to increase productivity among inmates, although these institutions were used mostly by Kapos, “prisoner functionaries” and the criminal element, because regular inmates, penniless and emaciated, were usually too debilitated and wary of exposure to Schutzstaffel (SS) schemes. In the end, the camp brothels did not produce any noticeable increase in the prisoners’ productivity levels, but instead, created a market for coupons among the camp VIPs.[1]
The women forced into these brothels came mainly from the women-only Ravensbrück concentration camp,[2] except for Auschwitz, which used its own prisoners.[3] In combination with the German military brothels in World War II, it is estimated that at least 34,140 female inmates were forced into sexual slavery during the Third Reich.[3]
I was a teen in the ‘80s and I never heard the origin of “Joy Division”, just knew the band. DJs on the radio (or on MTV) back then never discussed bands’ names or what they meant, so it wasn’t easy to know about that stuff. I also never knew what “Dead Kennedys” meant although that’s pretty obvious if you just think about it. Hell, I never knew Freddie Mercury was gay despite the band name “Queen”.
I also thought Boy George was a woman, but everybody did.
Although this story isn’t related, I’ve been trying to get the name JD Vance changed online to “Joy Division Vance” given his views on women.
The future Joy Division Vance sees for American Women
In World War II, Nazi Germany established brothels in the concentration camps (Lagerbordell or Freudenabteilungen “Joy Divisions”) to increase productivity among inmates, although these institutions were used mostly by Kapos, “prisoner functionaries” and the criminal element, because regular inmates, penniless and emaciated, were usually too debilitated and wary of exposure to Schutzstaffel (SS) schemes. In the end, the camp brothels did not produce any noticeable increase in the prisoners’ productivity levels, but instead, created a market for coupons among the camp VIPs.[1]
The women forced into these brothels came mainly from the women-only Ravensbrück concentration camp,[2] except for Auschwitz, which used its own prisoners.[3] In combination with the German military brothels in World War II, it is estimated that at least 34,140 female inmates were forced into sexual slavery during the Third Reich.[3]
Clever, but might be too niche of a reference for people to understand.
Yeah, please don’t tarnish Joy Division by associating them with Vance.
Man…
People really don’t know it from the band anymore?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zuuObGsB0No
That piano coming in is fucking iconic, but I guess by now even if people had heard of the band they don’t remeber where the name came from
I was a teen in the ‘80s and I never heard the origin of “Joy Division”, just knew the band. DJs on the radio (or on MTV) back then never discussed bands’ names or what they meant, so it wasn’t easy to know about that stuff. I also never knew what “Dead Kennedys” meant although that’s pretty obvious if you just think about it. Hell, I never knew Freddie Mercury was gay despite the band name “Queen”.
I also thought Boy George was a woman, but everybody did.
TIL, thanks. Makes a bit more sense now why the band chose the name.