The British Berliner
A lifestyle expat travel blog about culture, history, Brexit, the Royal Family, travels around the world, Europe, and being British in Berlin!
Racism in Europe!
I am a British expat.
I live in Germany.
In case you haven’t noticed, I’m also non-white, otherwise known as a Person Of Colour (POC).
To put it bluntly, I’m black British.
I’m dark-skinned!
I always say that this blog.
Is not about political issues but somehow, it’s full to the brim with stuff about the UK Referendum, Terrorism in Europe, the Monarchy, being a British expat, the European Union (EU), Brexit, and what it’s like to live in Germany!
Perhaps, it’s because I studied Political Science at University.
Perhaps, it’s because I have a journalist streak and the need to ask and answer questions
Perhaps it’s because I love Europe and all that it does and should stand for.
Perhaps it’s because in a world that has gone mad, it’s the right thing to do.
Whatever.
What happened to George Floyd, the political chaos and lack of leadership in America, coupled with the panic and fear of Covid-19, is an utter disgrace and has brought about global protest around the world.
It has also brought out the blatant clarity of racism politics in America.
But don’t think that because we live in Europe, we can rest on our laurels and pat ourselves on the back, because we can’t.
It put a spotlight on racism in Europe too.
Now there’s no denying that I have been very privileged in my upbringing, education, background and lifestyle.
It’s true that I have rarely come into contact with right-in-your-face racism.
This is because I have always considered it normal to be the only person of colour in my school, neighbourhood, etc. and fit the category of being well-spoken, well-educated, well-travelled, well-dressed, upper-middle class, live comfortably, the exotic one among my friends, the minority among my colleagues, non-threatening, married, live among the local gentrified elite.
And female.
Some might even go as far as to say that I am a snowflake, a coconut or worse, entitled.
It doesn’t bother me in the least.
What does bother me however, is the fact that you don’t have to be a member of the anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim Alternative for Germany (AfD) political party or be a far-right sympathiser, to be racist.
Sometimes it’s far more dangerous.
Sometimes it’s the little things.
It’s subtle.
And when you do them,
It’s embarrassing.
It’s awkward.
It’s racist.
WHAT IS RACISM?
Simply put, racism can be described as prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against other people because they are of a different skin colour, race, culture or ethnicity.
In other words, if you presume that a person is superior or inferior, based on inheritable traits, abilities or qualities, that’s racism.
Nobody denies that in many aspects, life for people of colour is better in Europe than it is in the USA.
The underlying problem for many though, is that life in Europe isn’t as “better” as some people like to believe.
Now I know most of you wouldn’t dream of doing anything that would cause another person to suffer or feel different.
However.
If you assume that because an individual is of Turkish/ Polish / Arabic / African / South European/ East European/ Russian /Asian ethnic origin, is therefore, poor, ignorant, threatening, dangerous, or can’t speak “proper” English or “good” German.
That’s racist.
If you believe that a person that isn’t typically blond or blue-eyed, cannot automatically be English or German.
That’s racist.
If you ask personal questions such as:
You: Where are you from?
Me: From England.
You: No. I mean, where are you reeeally from?
Me: ?!&%$#**!
It’s none of your business. And it’s racist.
You: How do you do your hair?
Me: At the hairdressers.
You: Can I touch it?
Me: ?!&%$#**!
That’s racist.
I’m amazed that you’ve gone darker. What happened?
I went to Italy?
And?
I had a bit of a tan?
You can tan?
?!&%$#**!
It’s racist.
On going to an allergy doctor. we conducted a number of skin tests, as when I first moved to Germany, my skin flared up, and my allergies got worse.
Me: OMG. My skin is full to bursting with rashes and bumps.
Allergy doctor: Where?
Me: On my arm.
Allergy Doctor: I can’t see it.
Me: It’s right there.
Allergy Doctor: Your skin is “unusual”. I really can’t see where the skin has inflamed.
Me: Right. I need a new doctor!
Yeah, that’s racist.
At a private summer party of about 70 people, in Berlin
Party Guest: I saw your brother.
Me: You most definitely didn’t.
Party Guest: Your brother is most certainly here.
Me: No he isn’t. My brother is in England.
Party Guest: Umm. Who’s that “man” downstairs?
It was our son.
He was 12 at the time!
Oh, and by the way, even though there’s a family resemblance, my son is of mixed race.
We don’t “look the same”
That’s racist too!
I’m sure that I don’t have to tell you this, but I’ll say it anyway, there is roughly a little under 1 million people, who are non-white in Germany.
There’s absolutely no need or excuse, to do black-face!
Playing the “n” word in music, on TV and on radio, is not acceptable.
Or using the “n” word because it’s cool.
It isn’t.
It’s a racial slur.
Not only that, it’s illegal.
Don’t do it.
And don’t let anyone else do it either.
Speak up.
If you don’t, ignorance and racism continues.
IS THERE RACISM IN GERMANY?
Yes.
We don’t need to look far into history to see just how racist Germany was.
Most Germans are disgusted and ashamed of their Nazi past and seek to repeal the idea of anti-foreigner sentiment.
And as a result, racism today is different than what it was in the 1930’s.
But it’s still racism.
It is enforced by negative stereotyping, and inculcated in the criminal justice system, in some parts of the police force, religious intolerance, racial profiling, language, culture and on the subject of refugees.
In fact, just a few days ago, I was asked by a local TV station, to talk about the matter myself.
That wouldn’t have been a problem.
The problem was that I was asked a mere two (2) hours before the show was to start!
In the best of times, I can talk the hind leg off a donkey, but this wasn’t going to be a fun story!
This was serious.
I’m known in Germany.
In fact, I did a really brilliant newspaper interview a few years ago, and the racist undertones were so bad that the comments had to be switched off!
So I’m very much aware that what I say or don’t say, has weight.
And with just 2 hours to go, there simply wasn’t enough time to prepare properly, so I politely declined.
Here’s what other people had to say:
- Opinion: George Floyd killing opens racism wounds for European blacks
- Germany is a racist country
- Boris Becker’s son to press charges over MP’s ‘racist’ tweet: report
- ‘I Will Never Be German’: Immigrants and Mixed-Race Families in Germany on the Struggle to Belong
- What’s life really like for black people in Germany?
- What’s it like to be black in Berlin?
- Everyday racism: ‘Berlin isn’t as cosmopolitan as is often claimed’
- ‘I’m an American and I was racially profiled in Berlin 23 times’
- ‘Who knew you could feel so uncomfortable?’: A British-Indian’s experience in East Berlin
- Being Black in Berlin
- In election battle, East Germany’s first black MP fights hate
- Germany’s double-standard racism
- UN experts: In Germany there are ‘no-go’ areas for black people
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Use your privilege.
Demand Change!
Speak up!
In Germany, check out the Black Lives Matter, Berlin branch for organisations to support and materials to read.
Join initiatives against racism approved and recommended by deutschland.de
Understand what is or might be construed to be an act of racism on a day-to-day basis, and how to be more sensitive to people of colour and what we go through.
I recommend that you send petitions, and support black-owned businesses, artists, professionals and blogs such as mine, by simply reading them, making donations, or using their links.
Here’s mine:
Buy Me A Cup of Tea!
Make A Donation Donate so that I can continue to write hilarious stories and create amazing content! Thanks so much!
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Use my links for travel accommodation or travel insurance!
Don’t forget my links on the side bar of my website, or at the bottom of this page!
The organizers in Minneapolis have asked people to support their movement doing the following things:
Sign these Petitions:
Donate to Black led organisations in Minnesota such as:
Reclaim the Block: https://secure.everyaction.com/zae4prEeKESHBy0MKXTIcQ2
Black Visions Collective: https://secure.everyaction.com/4omQDAR0oUiUagTu0EG-Ig2
Send Donations to George Floyd’s Family:
If you have friends, family or people in Minnesota, specifically Minneapolis, tell them to write and call immediately.
If you are NOT from Minnesota, Take Action Minnesota recommends that you email to add pressure that the world is watching.
Please do NOT go into huge crowds right now, because as I never tire of telling you, Covid19 is alive and well.
Stay local and go online instead!
If you think that you are being discriminated against or see someone being discriminated, please read the Protection against Discrimination in Germany document issued by Germany’s Federal Ant-Discrimination Agency or the Antidiskriminierungs-stelle des Bundes, as to what to do or who to contact.
If you don’t know what to say, SHARE what people of colour are saying!
If you don’t know what to read, READ what people of colour are reading or writing.
Be sensitive.
Don’t pretend to understand.
You can’t.
Ask questions.
Most importantly, talk to us.
Talk to ME!
Don’t be afraid to support your black colleagues, neighbours or acquaintances.
I hope you have some!
Don’t tolerate racism.
Speak up.
See you next week!
RACISM IN EUROPE!
To be sure, life will NOT be what it was before and you can expect real change about the way we choose to live, and the political leaders you can trust.
©Victoria Ade-Genschow – The British Berliner – Berlin – May 2020
Speaking of trust. As far as travel blogs are concerned, you can trust ME!
I do NOT write about places that I haven’t personally been to.
I do NOT get paid to write on my blog.
All content will continue to remain free of charge but if you feel like buying me a cup of tea, I will graciously accept!
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OMG!
Eek!
Once again if you can, please do stay at home, keep your distance from others, and flatten the curve!
Better to be safe than sorry.
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Racism in Europe!
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RACISM IN EUROPE!
This article is not sponsored, and all thoughts and opinions, are my very own!
June is going to be thought-provoking!
See you soon!
Watch this space!
DISCLOSURE!
Please note that The British Berliner is a participant in affiliate programmes designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by advertising and linking to World Nomads Travel Insurance & Booking.com.
In short, there are two affiliate link companies connected to this post!
Every time one of these services is used, booked, and paid for via my link, I get a little percentage, but at no extra cost to yourself!
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I learnt my lesson in Spain. And obviously, in countries like Qatar, where technically the risk is higher, I can’t imagine going that far beyond WITHOUT INSURANCE. No siree! You can get yours here, at World Nomads!
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See you in Berlin.
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5 Comments on “Racism in Europe!”
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thebritishberliner
Buy Me A Cup of Tea!
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Hello, I once had this in a private meeting, that someone has asked can I touch your hair? (Not mine) And I immediatly thought, well, that is racist. It was just a feeling. Thanks for writing it here, and all the other stuff. In the same meeting, before, we were talking ( with the man who is black, from the US) about music. We hadbern alone. And I really had been ( had been on a concert) a Michael Jackson Fan. Not anymore, because of Neverland thing, well hard for everybody, if you think he‘s part of your life. Well, we both loved him. Later the others came, we were talking again about that music thing. I‘ve said we were talking about Music, and said enthusiastic that I love MJ. And everybody looked at me, oh man, she must be racist, because, she likes MJ, like if as I like him, the guy is black. It‘s all so stupid. He also liked Blondie. It‘s all so strange. I think also Germany is racist. Or Europe. When you go to France for example I think it‘s less, although it‘s there. Well, it made me sad, especially when I read a deay after George Floyd death a buddy from the US wrote, she‘s funny smart and nit lamenting, that she‘s scared suddenly in the middle of the nught, that her new husband could be killed while going out with the dog. Suddenly I felt, shit, whst the f*. And I understood, or didn‘t. How someone can be threatend. She‘s new in marriage. So this sounded too hard. Hope the world is getting better.
Thanks so much for your comment.
I hope the world gets better too, but it starts with us. We have to make it better by looking at the issue head-on and speaking up!
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