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AEGIS European Conference on African Studies
11 - 14 July 2007
African Studies Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Reconstructing Culture Programmes
| Panel |
38. African Migrations and Exiles in Germany - Representations and Creative Responses in Literature and Media
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| Paper ID | 353 |
| Author(s) |
Kelly, Natasha A.
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| Paper |
No paper submitted
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| Abstract | In comparison to other ethnic groups the AfroGerman community is considered to be small in number, but large in heterogeneity, which can be likewise advantageous and disadvantageous. Advantage strikes as far as individualism is concerned; disadvantages prevail throughout society. Living in Germany as a member of the African Diaspora opens a sometimes stony gangway not only to education and career, but on all levels of social and political affiliation. AfroGermans cannot be categorized as a German subculture, as they take part in and contribute to German culture. The outside position of a “parallelist” is decided, as the possibility to be organised remains beyond the attitude, due to diverse heritage, religious belief or even language. Nevertheless, Black and German are not contradictory!
Yet, do Black Germans know what they can do? Yes, they do. They can change society! In the position of the change agent the AfroGerman protagonist can reconstruct the German culture programme by adjusting the austere thinking of the “Dichter und Denker” to an updated multicultural attitude and, by doing so, regain a modern German identity. Germany has an old African history, non what is read in history books at school, non what is rehearsed in political propaganda and non whatsoever is mirrored in the media. As Germany has always been a multicultural conglomerate, it’s just a matter of (self-) definition, which the AfroGermans proved to be a tool for empowerment in the 1980s. Yet, the terms they coined such as “AfroGerman” or “Black German” have still not found their way into common dictionaries, whereas “Neger” and “Farbiger” hold word-power.
It is not possible to think Black without the opposite thought of White (and visa versa), which remain racial categories. Reconstruction can only be obtained on the basis of a “White shift” from the blind eye of global normality, although this young mechanism has yet to be accepted nationwide as well as across Europe. Still, the present definition of a national German lies on blood relations – and therefore on visuals, e.g. the colour of skin. Black and German bring forth the “either-or-decision” (either Black or White), instead of realising diversity as a grand source of creativity.
My doctoral thesis answers the question, if culture programmes can be reconstructed through their partial programmes. By focusing on AfroGerman and/or African football players who are not only members of various federal, but are also on the national team, I will prove that AfroGermans can agitate as German representatives worldwide – not only in sport, but in all fields of social life. The aim of my work is to secure their societal position on the whole and at the same time contribute to German identity and awareness.
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