Solidarity Racism in everyday life: How you can show solidarity with those affected

Ten people are sitting in a train compartment, but the police patrol only checks the two with dark skin and black hair. When filling a job opening, a recruiter weeds out all the names that sound Arabic. A landlord invites only the Müllers and Maiers to a apartment viewing—no Özdemirs or Azizis.

All of these things happen in Germany. They are expressions of racism. And they are everyday reality for millions of people with a migration background.

Anyone who goes through experiences like these can use some solidarity.

For example, like this:
 

Recognizing and calling out everyday racism

People who aren’t personally affected by discrimination sometimes find it hard to recognize it. A typical example: the question “Where are you really from?”

People with darker skin hear this question time and again, even if they were born in Germany. Those asking the question may not mean any harm. Nevertheless, it sends a message: You’re different; you don’t really belong here.

The question about origin is exclusionary. It divides people into groups based on physical characteristics. It forces those being asked to justify themselves. Recognizing and calling out this kind of everyday racism is an important first step toward combating it.

Contradict

Overt racism—for example, through derogatory or degrading statements—is easier to recognize than some forms of everyday racism.

A clear objection helps in two ways: It signals solidarity to those affected. And it sets a positive example of moral courage and solidarity for bystanders or online readers. It’s also a way to spread sound arguments.

Examine Your Own Privileges

Not being asked questions like “Where are you really from?” is a privilege. Just as it is a privilege to be invited to a job interview or an apartment viewing as a matter of course.

People who have privileges often barely notice them. They’re taken for granted. It’s only when you compare yourself to others who don’t have those privileges that the inequality becomes apparent.

This example from author Noah Sow illustrates the point:

“Labeling people and arbitrarily dividing them into groups is a white privilege; yet many of them aren’t even aware of it. Because it’s something that’s learned without ever having to be explicitly stated.” (Source: Noah Sow 2018, p. 35).

Questioning one’s own privileges: This can foster mutual understanding—and counteract discrimination and prejudice.

Listen and Believe

To heighten your own awareness of racism, you should listen to those affected and believe them. What experiences do they describe? How do they cope with them?

Important to note: You should not pressure anyone to share their own experiences with racism.

Those who publicly share their experiences with racism often face intense criticism, especially on social media. There, their accounts are frequently met with skepticism, mockery, or accusations. Stepping in, showing empathy, and posting counterarguments can help improve the atmosphere on social media.

Educate and Engage

Anyone who wants to combat racism needs knowledge. This also applies to words and their meanings. For example: the term “race.” Although it’s still in the German Constitution, it’s unsuitable for describing people. From a scientific perspective, there are no human “races.” Anyone who wants to divide people into different “races” is acting in a racist manner.

Another example: the term “ethnopluralism,” used by the far-right “Identitarian Movement.” To some, the term may sound like “diversity.” What it actually means, however, is the creation of ethnically and culturally homogeneous, unified, or “pure” states. Behind this lies a nationalist mindset that denies people with a history of migration the right to live and reside in Germany.

Anyone who wants to expand their knowledge of (everyday) racism can find plenty of material online, for example at the Amadeu Antonio Foundation.

The Respekt initiative’s website offers ideas for anti-racist actions and seminar opportunities.

Take Action

Here are a few more ideas for taking action against racism:

• On igmetall.de, you’ll find resources to take a stand against racism both online and offline (social media graphics, flyers, poster templates, etc.).
• Many IG Metall local officeshave working groups focused on migration and anti-racism.
• The Federal Anti-Discrimination Agency offers free counseling for victims of discrimination. Background: Discrimination is prohibited in Germany. The General Equal Treatment Act (AGG) protects against such discrimination—in the workplace and in everyday life. Depending on the individual case, victims can also take legal action against discrimination.
• In the workplace, union activists can use the AGG to, for example, establish complaint offices or promote company agreements on “cooperative behavior in the workplace.”