German Identity:
Who Can Be A German?
As we discussed in class on the 14th of January, immigrants in Germany face a unique situation in which the welcoming policies of their host country is contrasted with their struggle to integrate into the completely foreign culture of their new-found haven.
Germany's laws and policies, in addition to its physical location, makes it an attractive location for immigrants seeking asylum. This leaves outsiders to wonder if German culture is as welcoming as their policies,
Germany has set in place numerous measures in recent history from 1961 that provided the conditions for its current influx of immigrants. Once in country, these refugees are given ample training to learn how to assimilate and adapt to German culture. Below are resources which showcase the process immigrants grow through.
- Integrating refugees in Germany | DW Documentary - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNSunDx5S_g
- Immigration Policy, Assimilation of Immigrants and Natives' Sentiments Towards Immigrants: Evidence from 12 Oecd-Countries - https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=251988 (You can access this article for free with your USF NET ID)
However whilst immigrants are officially welcomed in the country, many citizens do no share the same sentiments as their government. The majority of Germans do not believe that the culture of Germany is one which is compatible with Islam, the religion of most of their asylum seekers. This has led to an increased presence in neo-nazi and German nationalist groups that strongly voice their opinions opposing an open Germany.
Attached are a documentary and a preview of a book which highlights some of the struggles that immigrants have to face not only adapting to a new environment but also the challenges imposed by their new neighbours.
- Seeking Asylum in Germany, and Finding Hatred | Times Documentaries - https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/europe/100000005090433/libyan-migrant-bautzen-germany.html
- Negotiating Identities: States and Immigrants in France and Germany - https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=3YWw17wkiFYC&oi=fnd&pg=PA3&dq=immigrants+germany&ots=g2v1KRab32&sig=19MOoC8_6rKf5zNkULUHkmWr5Mg#v=onepage&q&f=false
This struggle for an identity is also seen among ethnic Germans who following World War II, faced a Germany divvied up by the allies. Their culture and way of life have been greatly altered and there are differences still seen to this day. As seen in the poem by Ingeborg Bachmann: Bohemia Lies by the Sea, many Germans were displaced after the war and their historical homeland may no longer exist in Germany. While not an insight into the mind of a displaced German, the article below helps to broadcast the differences between East and West Germany that are still felt to this day.
No comments:
Post a Comment