Valerie M.C.E. Dube and Dr. Michelle Stott, Germanic and Slavic Languages
Researching on Afro-Germans in German literature proved to be a very fascinating, yet tedious task. The limited materials that were available to me enabled me to discover Afro-Germans as a people who are barely recognized by their fellow citizens and even less acknowledged by foreign nationals residing outside of Germany. Due to this fact I found it difficult to gain access to primary or secondary texts written by or about Afro-Germans. Nevertheless, I was successful in locating a few sources and discovered an aspect of German literature that showed me the underlying value of identity and a healthy perception of oneself.
As the winds of xenophobia sweep through Germany one can see the terror that faces numerous foreigners in this country and in Europe as a whole. However, Afro-Germans are not foreigners. They are German citizens. With this in mind, I decided to base this project on the Afro-German’s perception of him/herself and how this perception is directly linked to the pure German’s view of Blacks.
In order to understand my project it is essential to understand three essential aspects of the German–Afro-German conflict. The first is the concept of “Germanness” (being “pure” German). What does it entail and what it means to be German in Germany? Secondly, I questioned the aspect of being an Afro-German and why it is shunned by Germans. In addition to these I addressed the question of blackness in Europe.
Until the nineteenth century, the idea of being German was falsely based on simply being born in Germany and sharing the same language and culture. The idea of Aryanism, a concept that took hold of eighteenth and nineteenth century Germany, intensely clarified the definition of “Germanness.” To have Aryan blood flowing through ones veins became of ultimate importance in order for one to claim being German. This leads us to understand that a primary factor to being German is being white, followed by having both parents of German descent. Once a person is able to fulfill all aspects, he/she is assured of a better life. When searching for a job, the white German is confident that he/she will be considered before anyone else; when trying to find housing as a student, the white German is also assured that he/she will get the apartment.
Afro-Germans, on the other hand are faced with a different scenario. As the term suggests, AfroGermans are of African or African-American and German descent. In most cases the mother was German and the father African or African American. Individuals who have spent a significant portion of their lives in Germany but are only of African or African American descent, are also included. This definition was decided upon, due to the similarities of these people’s experiences in Germany. The dual heritage of Afro-Germans places them in a delicate position. As German nationals and only knowing the German culture and language, they feel very German (i.e. white).
However, their dark skin forces them to be categorized as Africans by Germans. Consequently 51 they are viewed as foreigners, and are therefore rejected.
The base portrayal of Afro-Germans is directly linked to the pure German’s view of Blacks, which was developed even prior to Germany’s colonial period in Africa. Although it is not known when the first Africans set foot in Germany, it is believed that they appeared in isolated instances between 844 and 1026 A.D. Their “unusual” dark color posed as a threat to Germans because it conjured up images of horror. Germany’s short 34 year colonial period incited Germans to change their view of black Africans. They were now viewed as base beings who possessed an unalterable stupidity.
The pejorative idea of blackness was enforced as Aryanism grew stronger roots in Germany, hence blackness had no place in Germanness.
The literary arena portrays the effect that this race conscious ideology has on the Afro-German’s perception of him/herself. Works written by Black Germans illustrate how they have internalized the pure German’s racist ideas and have become their own enemies. This factor is especially noted in Showing Our Colors, a book consisting of a history and personal testimonies of Afro- Germans. Individuals, such as Katharina Oguntoye, express the discomfort they experience when they are completely immersed in an all black society. The discomfort, which is in actuality self-hate, is felt from within by Afro-Germans, precisely because Germans have imposed the idea on them that they should “feel at home” with Blacks. Oguntoye believes that she cannot pretend, she is not black. In short she is German, but cannot claim to be white.
This confusion has lead to the emotional destruction of some Afro-Germans. Showing Our Colors depicts the German’s inability to bring black and white together and thereby pushing Afro- Germans to do likewise.
Further reading has shown that keeping the African (Black) and the German (white) apart is an integral part of strength to Afro-Germans, and has enabled them to face the harsh effects of racism. Poetry by artists such as May Opitz supports the strength that is derived through their dual heritage, thereby defying the paradigm of the ideal German. Opitz shows that Afro- Germans are two entities in one. If one were to remove either of the two, one would create a whole new being.
Identity is depicted as an important tool in one’s life. In spite of their need to be claimed, self-hate, pride, anger and simple ignorance concerning the African/African American community hinders numerous Afro-Germans from accepting their black heritage. The small number of Afro- Germans residing in Germany and the fact that they were raised without being aware that there were other Afro-Germans in existence, poses as a problem as they try to form a community with each other.
The Afro-German predicament is critical. I believe it promises to be a danger to both groups if they are not able to recognize each one’s qualities and more importantly each one’s racial background.