Summary
Highlights
The event, part of the "Ethik im Dialog" series, begins by welcoming attendees and introducing the organizing partners. An interactive Mentimeter survey is conducted, asking the audience if they have experienced racism, what causes it, and what actions they take against it. The initial responses prompt a discussion on the perceived lack of action against racism.
Anja Bo clarifies that racism is the belief in different human 'races' with varying inherent abilities. She reads from her book "Anleitung zum Schwarzsein," highlighting over 500 years of Black German history, including the period of German colonialism, the slave trade, and the Nazi era. She also discusses the stories of notable Black Germans like Theophilius Michael and Gert Schramm, emphasizing that racism is not just individual but also institutional and structural, affecting systems like education, healthcare, and AI. She explains how prejudices against Black people (e.g. 'laziness,' 'ugliness,' 'stupidity,' 'sexual promiscuity') were propagated during colonial times to justify their exploitation and dehumanization. She also details the plight of "Brown Babies" born to Black American soldiers and German mothers after WWII, many of whom were given up for adoption due to societal pressure.
The panel, including Deria Schahan, Sean Jefferson, and Anthony Ahonu, shares their reflections. Deria uses the analogy of mosquito bites to describe the cumulative effect of daily racist experiences. Anthony shares his struggle for acceptance in Germany despite 21 years of effort, highlighting the emotional toll of constant othering. Sean, who identifies as German, discusses the persistent question of "where are you from?" and the stereotypes he faces as a Black Muslim convert. They all emphasize the exhaustion caused by constantly having to justify their identity and belonging.
The conversation shifts to the systemic nature of racism, emphasizing how daily microaggressions deplete a person's capacity and affect their professional and personal lives. The panelists discuss the importance of speaking up against racism, even if it's just a simple "no" or a critical glance. They express concern over the rise of right-wing political parties like the AfD and the role of social media in normalizing racist ideas. Sean notes that for many, racism intensified not with Black Lives Matter, but with the influx of refugees in 2016, leading to him being stereotyped as a refugee rather than a Black person.
Deria highlights the importance of understanding democratic values and protecting all minorities. She stresses individual self-reflection on biases and the need for systemic changes in institutions like schools and universities to promote diversity. Anthony encourages openness and curiosity, urging people to move beyond stereotypes and learn about others. The discussion touches upon the complexities of different forms of racism, including anti-Asian racism, and the importance of using respectful terminology. The event concludes with a powerful message that racism is a learned behavior from which society can collectively unlearn and overcome and a call for active participation in combating racism, mentioning local initiatives like "Ludwigsburg gegen Rassismus" and upcoming related events.