In the eastern German state of Thuringia, Omar Diallo and other Black residents are experiencing a surge in racial tensions. This troubling trend coincides with the rising popularity of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which is currently leading polls at 30% for the upcoming state elections on September 1, 2024.
Diallo, a 22-year-old from Guinea, recounted a harrowing incident from the summer of 2020. While celebrating Eid al-Adha with friends, they were confronted by a group of white men who hurled racial slurs and chased them through the streets of Erfurt. This attack left one of Diallo's friends hospitalized and highlighted the ongoing racial discrimination in the region.
The roots of this discrimination run deep in German history. Germany held colonies in Africa from 1884 until the end of World War I, including territories in present-day Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Namibia, Cameroon, Togo, and Ghana. Only recently has the German government begun addressing the injustices committed during this period. In 2021, President Frank-Walter Steinmeier called on Germans to confront their colonial past, and in 2023, he apologized for colonial-era killings in Tanzania.
Doreen Denstaedt, Thuringia's minister for migration, justice, and consumer protection, shared her experiences growing up as a Black child in East Germany. She faced frequent racism and confusion about her identity, despite being born in Thuringia. Denstaedt expressed concern that racist narratives may become more acceptable in mainstream society due to the current political climate.
"My biggest concern is that people do not question (these prejudices), especially if they are not affected themselves."
The situation in Thuringia is particularly alarming. In 2023, the NGO Ezra documented 85 racist attacks in the state, only slightly down from the 88 attacks recorded in 2022. The AfD's Thuringia branch was placed under official surveillance in 2020 as a "proven right-wing extremist" group.
Despite these challenges, Black residents and activists are working to combat discrimination and promote understanding. Daniel Egbe, a chemist from Cameroon who moved to Thuringia in 1994, founded AMAH, an organization that supports African students and migrants facing discrimination in Jena. He emphasizes the importance of education about Germany's colonial history.
"We won't leave, we will do our part to change this society. People are mostly afraid of what and who they don't know. We have to change things through education."
Germany is home to an estimated 1.27 million people of African descent, with over 70% born in the country. As the AfD gains popularity, many Black Germans and African migrants are increasingly concerned about their safety and rights.
Diallo, now studying law in Munich, remains committed to fighting for justice and improving the situation for Black people in Germany. His experience, while traumatic, has empowered him to work towards positive change.
As Thuringia approaches its state elections, the Black community and their allies continue to resist the rising tide of racism, striving for a more inclusive and equitable society in eastern Germany.