anders deutsch

Today, in parts of Germany the carneval begins. Or rather the partying accelerates. The start of the carneval is celebrated already in November. As I said in parts of Germany, in particular in the Rhineland. That region will be for the next few days in a state of emergency, sorry of merriment. Everybody is jolly, gay, whatever.

For some years I lived in this area, and quite liked it. But always at carneval time I noticed I am a stranger. I was not infected by the jollity, quite in the contrary. There was no way how I could integrate into these local customs.

Finally, I accepted the fact and migrated further (or was it the job offer ... ). And a wise decision it was. At this time in the year I cherish Berlin even more than at other times. It is so nice and peaceful here.

For those who want to have a visual impression see this news clip.

The UN have send Venor Muñoz to inspect the German schools. His task was to investigate why children from socially disadvantaged families and from migrant families have less chances than privileged children. A serious issue for Germany.

But somehow many 'Germans' seem to have a major problem with a fact that an expert from Costa Rica comes to look at German schools, that 'we' have are violating human rights. Normally 'we' are the experts. Normally 'we' accuse others of human rights violations.

A new 'Turkish' film has entered the German cinemas. It is very successfull. It's name is Kurtlar Vadisi Irak.

I have not seen it. But from what I have read about it, it is antisemitic, promotes violence against 'enemies', etc. It does not seem to be a film I would like to watch. It does not seem like a film which should be seen. It does not seem a film which promotes peaceful coexistence in diversity. In so far I can understand the outrage against it in the 'German' public.

What I do not understand is why it is considered worse than Hollywood films which are racist, islamophobic, anti-communist, sexist, etc. Is it because all this does not hurt us, but the 'anti-western' mode of 'Kurtlar Vadisis Irak' does?

To print carricatures about Mohammed is a symbol of the freedom of the press in the West. 'We' are more civilised than others. 'They' do not understand this. This is the 'clash of civilisations'. Although 'we' do not really consider the 'others' as civilised.

In the case of domestic issues 'we' are more careful with our freedom. 'We' do not attack an influential politician, bureaucrat, film star or entrepreneur. That could have unwanted consequences. So we voluntarily restrict our freedom.

So far we could deal freely with the 'others'. 'They' could not attack 'us', 'we' had to fear no consequences. Unfortunately this has changed now. And 'they' are threatening the freedom of the press.

I have just re-read an aritcle I wrote twelve years back. It was not really a surprise. But I did notice my change in language. Then I still used terms like German, Indian or even foreigner, as if they described something essential. I was not able to distance myself from them, and thus I reproduced the underlying concepts. I still was held by the idea that there are 'cultures' and 'identities'.

Words limit what we can think. Things which can not be denominated can hardly be thought. Being caught in a language which essentialises identities, it is hard to form a concept of hybridity, of something changing, ambigious.

To form new ideas one has to cross the limits of the words.

Yesterday an expert on radio explained to me why the 'Lord of the Rings' is not racist. At least he wanted to. But I did not understand. Ok, I have to admit, I never read or watched the 'Lord of the Rings'. But as far as I understood the criticism was that in the book and/or the film the 'good guys' were light and the 'bad guys' dark. That could well be a reproduction of racist stereotypes. But the expert did not talk about that. He talked about 'races' which exist both among animals and humans. Then he started to analyse the 'Lord of the Rings' and talked about who could get children with whom. And since the 'light' ones and the 'dark' ones could get children (or something like that), it was proven that the 'Lord of the Rings' was not racist. I did not understand this. Or did he not understand it?

the chicken are taken into bed, says a farmer from Northern Germany. In Germany we do not do this. Accordingly we do not have to fear bird's flue. Or so was his argument.

Why did I never get a chicken to sleep with when I went to Asia? Is it cosy to sleep with a chicken?

What ideas do 'Germans' have of Asia?

was this morning announced. I was a bit surprised. I had bought a ticket for On the Outscirts from Aysun Bademsoy. She lives in Berlin, produces for a 'German' audience, the basic language is German. Why should this be a 'Turkish' film? Because it was shot in Turkey?

The film I really liked about a journey through Turkey was Thomas Arslan's From far away. Arslan does not pretend to be able to explain 'Turkey' to the audience. He just lets his camera observe 'Turkey' from far away, does not intrude and invites us to watch.

A 63 year old man from Macedonia has tried to commit suicide in detention. He did so not only because he was to be deported soon, but also because he was told - as is the law in Germany - that he has to pay for being in detention for deportation. 62 Euros per day. He had saved some money in Germany. But after paying his bill there is probably not much left.

People who live 'illegally' in Germany do not seem to be human beings for the authorities. Or would they treat humans this way?

The absurdities German authorities develop to make naturalisation ever more difficult are unimaginable. In Bavaria applicants are now asked not only about their relationship to supposedly extremist 'Islamic' organisations. Now they also are asked about their links to 'German' organisations like the left wing party, which is in the federal parliament, but seems to 'Bavarian' eyes extremist.

By the way, support of this organisations is already prooven, if you buy any of their magazines or attend an event organised by them. Is this 'Bavarian' freedom of opinion?