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Racism in Germany - how bad is it?

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I just read a story on Spiegel online which shocked me: According to a new study, more than 14% of German teenagers can be considered as "anti-foreigners", while more than 5% fall into the category of the righ extreme with Nazi-tendencies.

Surprisingly, the bad reputation of foreigners seems to be higher in those regions with little foreigners (so those regions where people don't even know what they talk about!!!).

The original article is here: http://www.spiegel.de/politik/deutschland/0,1518,613844,00.h
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To me - this is just another example of human ignorance, but for a foreigners living in Germany, these numbers are pretty scary!

What are your opinions and personal experiences with the way Germans see foreigners?

Blizzy Everhard

  • Tony Swope

    Poslano od   u Njemačka forum 

    Thanks guys real good reference info. I just finished watching the being black in germany video. I enjoyed it very much. As I said before I am not motivated or controlled by fear arrogance or ignorance. This will not be my first time living and working in a foreign country. In addition I have confidence in my personality ability and insightfulness to do well no matter where I go.

    In my experience I have learned people value respect and accept this and those that don't I never needed them around me anyway. It is like anything in life when it comes to dealing with people some will accept and love you. Some will spurn envy and hate you and some will simply ignore you all together. I am going to focus on the ones who will accept, respect, and love me. I know for a fact that even with all of the information that I have gathered that while there is probably 20% of the population that is radical racist you name it there are more people that would be interested in learning making friends and focused on positive constructive pursuits.

    One thing that I can say about the german people as a whole, they human period. There may be differences in language and culture here and there but there are good people and there are bad people. People who want to open and accepting and people who are fearful and ignorant.

    Well I am going to focus on the good people the open minded people the people who want learn from me and I can learn from them. This is how you build lasting meaningful relationships. Germany will be a great opportunity for me and I am not going to miss out on it because of a few mis-guided mis-informed people or a bunch of millitant skin heads. I do acknowledge there are certain dangers but the same is true here is america. Hell when in L.A. it wasn't like I was going down to watts every chance I get. So I feel that it will be a good experience for me. All in all I know I will attract good people because I have the right attitude.

    Gents, it has been very educational good luck to you all.

    Tony S.

  • Idite na profil od T Y

    Poslano od   u Njemačka forum 

    I actually support Germany on the EU issues. EU has been a massive social experiment without a realistic common positive outcome for the people. One country can't afford to bail out so many defaulting countries. The next one to turn to the euro bailout is either Spain or Italy. It can't last for that long any more.

    50% of Germans actually admitted they want to reduce immigration, just like you pointed out, "only" 38% are openly opposed to Islam, seems very low despite the fact that Sarrazin's book became a national bestseller. you can perhaps imagine what the real number can be, which contradicts what Germans commenting in here have been claiming. I don't blame them, it's their country.

    there's no need to hide the facts and keep telling foreigners that Germans are auslaenderfreundlich. If certain Germans stop telling people that racism in Germany isn't a big deal, then they will only attract more willing foreigners like yourself. And like someone else said, since you are European, racism in Germany is much less of a problem for you, you won't be affected. if they don't want immigrants in Germany, more Germans should speak up so that the world can hear their opinions.

  • Poslano od   u Njemačka forum 

    you say it like it's something bad:

    70 percent of those surveyed say Germany gives too much money to the EU --> I bet you the other 30% are not following the news

    Almost half want Germany to drastically reduce immigration --> I haven't read the famous book by Sarrazin since it's not in English, but I heard an interview he did and this is not surprising

    38 percent believe Islam doesn't fit into a German lifestyle and represents a threat to German values --> 38% seems low to me, I would have expected more, to me this seems pretty positive

    30 percent want an "independent Germany, without the euro, where the EU holds no legal sway" --> these are the brave ones, I'm sure the % of Germans that are fed up with the EU is much higher but they feel like it's too late to go back.

    I wish Spain was more like Germany, and I understand, why should Germany have to pay for everybody else's mess?

  • Idite na profil od T Y

    Poslano od   u Njemačka forum 

    Fresh from the Spiegel oven:

    http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,762224,00
    .html

  • Idite na profil od T Y

    Poslano od   u Njemačka forum 

    Hey Brandon, you've been asking around here for quite some time now. There must be something that fascinates you a lot about Germany. Could it be about time you start focusing on going there rather than speculating what it's like from random opinions on the Internet? LOL

    you've received enough warnings from foreigners who lived in Germany and heard the great story from that Afro German guy claiming it's a multi kulti paradise. The truth lies somewhere in between.

    Believe it not, we tend to generalize the culture from our own experiences rather than what it's supposed to be for foreigners according to the Internet. And thanks to the anonymity of non-race specific avatars, it can be hard to figure out who's sharing the experience as a visible minority or not.

    All I can say is, no matter where you go, you'll be disappointed if you expect to be treated highly because of your race, whatever that can be.

  • Poslano od   u Njemačka forum 

    if you refer to the statement that every German is racist because it is in our blood, because I am German and not racist and most people I know aren´t. So that can´t be. I didn´t write that they are lying about their experiences, I just wrote that they are generalizing- and at times are just as racist as the Germans they had their bad experiences with.

    If you referred to another statement, please clarifiy.

  • Tony Swope

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    I have been doing a great deal of online research and I must say that your experience and the experience of the indian in Dresden was enlightening. I will say this I am not motivated or controlled by fear, arrogance, or ignorance but I understand that their are quite a few people that unfortunately are. I have been offered a 3 contracting position near Weisbaden. This will be my first time in Germany for extended period of time and I must say as a Black american I am concerned. If there was no problem or if the issue was truly be blown out of proportion then why is there so many articles, videos, blogs, and forums about the level of intolerance that apparently does exist in Germany. Now it is not my intention to judge I can only go on what I see. I see that Germany is not perfect it has problems as you will find everywhere. After reading a BBC article about german journalist Gunter Walraff. I must ask a question how many people of color (Yellow, Brown, Black, etc.) would feel they had a good opportunity waiting for them if they were to immigrate to Germany right now?

    All I know is that there are good balanced and objective people in every society. It is truly ashame that in Europe after two world wars and everything that has happened people have short memories. However, it is no different than here in the U.S. it all depends where you are and most importantly the quality of people that you are with. I intend to take the experiences shared and use them to my advantage I know that in most cases 20% of any group is responsible for 80% of most issues and problems. Thanks for everyone's input I am learning a great deal and I must say that so far xenophobia/racism in Germany appears with greater frequency based on skin color and cultural background.

    If you have not read this article please read it. A real eye opener
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8347040.stm

  • Poslano od   u Njemačka forum 

    hi Patrick,

    of course it would be better to learn German in Germany, but I have a job here, and a home, bills to pay, and I can't just up and move for classes. I need to learn as much as I can now, then do the real move, meaning, I'm packing up everything and moving there, and renting my home here or something, maybe selling it though with this market better to leave it to the bank.

    Also it has to be coordinated, my husband and I at the same time. We don't want to move right away, there is too much work to be done first. But in a couple years. I also would like to move there with some money.

    I listen to the radio from Germany though I understand almost nothing, but I figure it will help. And I'm taking classes here. I'm on it, but still, German has so much grammar, it's hard.

    I know about the war, but it was a long time ago. Though..I guess if you are old enough that you lived though it...it doesn't matter how long ago it was because you lived it.

  • Poslano od   u Njemačka forum 

    I didn't really understand the link, because I don't think what I understood is what it said. I got from there that 2 Turks help prevent a crime or something and people turn against them?

    Can you translate yourself?, I don't think I got it.

    I know nobody is as open as Americans to taking foreigners, but we'll see, I'm hoping not to regret moving there if/when I do, because moving back is another pain. Especially because of the looking for a job again :-) But also finding a new place.

    BTW, I have dogs, is it really hard to rent a house (not apartment, house) if you are taking dogs with you? How much would that cost in the suburbs? not sure where I would go, of course I wish I could move to Munich because I want to go to the soccer games. Love Schweinsteiger :-)

    Thanks!

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