Berlin, 9th of March. Moving back
by Maomi Meindl
The political shift and rise of the radical right have caused racism to re-arise. In my day to day, I notice this, in the way people interact with me. More hesitantly, and sometimes with irritation. I am German and Japanese, thus racialised—but not easily placed within a familiar category of identity. I seem to confuse, which is met with scepticism and anger. My theory for this: a desire for order and a resentment for disorder. Politically, this is reinforced by a longing. A longing for a revival of a white, Catholic, and German unity, which has spread among the radical and centre-right. Self-reflection is conveniently avoided by blaming non-Germans for political and economic insecurity. The recent proposal by the CDU confirms that. A proposal threatening dual citizens with the loss of German citizenship if a crime is committed. Implying that foreigners are more prone to crime and should be removed if not German-like. Their take is disappointingly uncreative, political and economic uncertainty is attempted to be controlled with order, discipline and punishment. Their suggestion: a grid system, to label and categorise. Quietly sorting out those who don’t fit into preempted boxes that would threaten the homogeneous boys' club. This mentality is reflected in the racism I encounter today—signals of neglect are triggered by my biracial appearance. “Not being placeable” provokes and irritates. I hope my appearance exposes the absurdity of this desired homogeneity. I dis the order, which I kind of like. What I find confusing, is how the meeting with the “other” is tried to be eased by reducing me to a one-dimensional thing that can be shortcutted to secure a form of superiority. As really meeting me (or anyone, I guess) would make their grid collapse. I wonder how the historical footprints influence the discourse on migration and race today. Is the racism I encounter, exposing a racism that has been buried in the German unconscious, conveniently framed as an eliminated past that is no longer present? Maybe Ella could say more. Her work about her grandfather, who was openly a Nazi, was very interesting.
Art world: Sung Tieu’s exhibition currently showing at KW, has interesting timing. The wall panels on the second floor display an email conversation about a commission for a memorial for Vietnamese Gastarbeiter, who immigrated during the DDR era. She explains her condolences of having to decline the commission if the selection of artists remains predominantly white, as it wouldn’t allow a representational remembering. To support her argument, she references the book Undeutsch, which offers context and tools to discuss racism in Germany. The term “undeutsch” with a negating prefix, refers to those considered not German enough—unplaceable within a society, in which the norm is coded white and Catholic. Synonym-like for an error in a system - something that needs correction, adjustment in behaviour and speech. Something AI loves to do. To integrate “undeutsch” people, a “moral” training is suggested. With disciplinary measures, meant as “good intentions” a “how to be German” is imposed without consent. “Undeutsch” people who refuse to behave “correctly” and don’t conform, break the ultimate German deal, the moralitypluscorrect-contract. But people are not computers, which brings hope for change. My observations lead me elsewhere, the moral dimension of “correctness” and how it may blind us. As seen in the silencing of the genocide, it can cultivate a form of obedience.
I wonder how these measures can be unspelled. Hopefully a conversation which can be had here —with Germans and non-Germans alike.
PS: I write as an artist. For me, "artist" is not a job title but a person that shifts, explores, breaks. More and less. Someone who is driven by the icks of Martians. As a person, an artist is ,willingly or not, also part of a political and economic system. As this person, I have written this text. My relationship with information is different to one of a researcher, scientist or journalist. Writing this text has helped me to reflect on current politics. Sense-making has been arranged not achieved. I hope this text is treated as such.