This week, a lot of our conversation in the classroom
centered around the complex history and meaning behind the German word “heimat”,
which translates to homeland. To prepare for our conversations, we were tasked
with dissecting reading selections concerning heimat and how it interacts with
other concepts in Germany. A selection from Nation of Provincials by Celia
Applegate who gives a historical context behind the word heimat as she analyzes
the experiences of the Pfaltz people. Their identification with a particular
region was used to define heimat as a love for one’s homeland or community.
However, the word evolved to also encompass the nationalist movement in Germany
at the time, taking the meaning of this word beyond a longing and loyalty to a
homeland.
When we discussed as a group, I found it interesting that
the word heimat was so rich, dynamic, and complex that there wasn’t an exact
equivalent in English that would represent the cultural context of the word.
Home wasn’t quite right. Homeland wasn’t it either. Nor patriotism. The closest
I could personally think of is the Spanish word of “patria” which often
includes a deep love and pride for a homeland, though it lacks the political
implications that have been central in heimat’s history.
Just what is it that gives heimat such a loaded meaning
that could be considered controversial? In a way, heimat does include stereotypical
aspects of German culture like bratwurst, Oktoberfest, lederhosen, and the
German countryside. However, those ideas were not always reality for everyone.
The word heimat may not be inclusive of everyone. There are many people who may
consider themselves German but who may lack this idyllic view of German culture
or have differing cultural traits than those represented by heimat.
Globalization has only added to the complexity of having one sole homeland with
homogenous culture. With rapidly evolving technology and communication, more
and more people lack a homeland going back generations upon generations. People
are born to immigrant parents, people move to different countries and cities,
people convert to new religions, and people learn multiple languages. I think
the idea of one sole homeland can be inflexible and restrictive at best,
reducing the varied human experiences that are more prevalent with the rise of globalization.
At worst, it can be a term that causes some discrimination against groups who may
identify fully with the concepts of heimat as they may speak different
languages, look different, or practice different religious or spiritual beliefs.
The exclusivity that heimat may subliminally support becomes
even more relevant when considering the discrimination faced by migrants and
refugees previously mentioned in our class. Though Germany has quite lax
migration and asylum laws that are supported by national legislation, the
attitudes of the German people differ substantially as a whole. Migrants who in
particular are of Islam faith have faced discrimination considering that traditionally,
Germanic faith has centered around Christianity. Thus, Islamic beliefs may
appear to go against the historical roots of heimat, leading some Germans to
perhaps view “outsiders” with suspicion and as not fully belonging to Germanic
ideals.
This aspect may enforce identity politics as a whole,
raising questions of what is considered as belonging to Germany and what is not.
A concept that in a way promotes unity can also destroy unity, labeling certain
individuals as not belonging to Germany due to immutable aspects of their
unique identities that cannot be conformed to traditionally German principles. The
video below is of a German Deputy Minister stating that migrants need to
conform to German norms like Christianity and humanism. Though heimat can evoke
warm feelings of cultural familiarity, it can clearly lead to a lack of
awareness of one’s privilege and of oppressive beliefs against minority groups
who already struggle to adapt to a new country even without this perception of
them.
Though I do believe there is a place for a love and
longing for one’s homeland, reflection and class discussions have led me to
think that these concepts are too nuanced to simply be encompassed by a term
like heimat. Privilege needs to be thought of so that seemingly innocuous words
don’t become overtaken by identity politics rampant in politics throughout the
world, which fail to consider the impacts and benefits of globalization. As we
get closer to our departure date, I look forward to witnessing German culture
with my own eyes from both the perspectives of those not native to Germany and
of those who have been in Germany for generations. Perhaps we will understand
heimat a little more once we can experience Germany for ourselves and I look
forward to learning more about these difficult concepts. Also, make sure to
check out the links below for some more interesting reads on heimat!
More heimat sources:
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