Black Germans Advocate for Acknowledgment of Crimes Committed During the Nazi Era
In the dark shadow of the Nazi regime, the experiences of Germany's Black community have often been overlooked, their histories overshadowed by the larger narratives of Jewish victims and other persecuted groups. However, recent scholarly attention and cultural recognition have begun to shed light on this crucial aspect of Nazi-era persecution.
During the Nazi regime, the Nazis promoted a racial hierarchy with the Aryan race at the top, targeting various minorities as "unworthy of life." This included Black Germans, though they were a very small population. The regime's racial policies discriminated broadly against non-Aryans, promoting anti-Black racism alongside antisemitism, persecution of Roma and Sinti, homosexuals, disabled people, and others.
Black Germans experienced social exclusion and were subjected to racist laws that marginalized them in education, employment, and public life. They were often classified as "racially inferior" and faced discrimination under the Nuremberg Laws, though not always in the same codified manner as Jewish people. Some Black children, especially those born to German mothers and African colonial soldiers or French colonial troops after World War I, were subjected to forced sterilization programs to prevent them from reproducing, a policy that epitomized Nazi racial ideology.
Documentation and recognition of Black Germans' history during the Nazi era have been gradual, but significant strides have been made in recent decades. Historians like Katharina Oguntoye and Robbie Aitken have traced the experiences of Black Germans, uncovering stories of resistance and courage from political singer Fasia Jansen, actor Theodor Wonja Michael, and journalist Hans Massaquoi.
Efforts to bring these narratives to light include academic research highlighting their experiences of racial discrimination and sterilization, museum exhibitions and educational programs aiming to broaden public awareness, and the inclusion of their histories in broader studies of Nazi racial policies and minority persecution. The Theodor Wonja Michael library in Cologne, for example, has become a home for the stories of Black people and fosters research on identity, race, and culture.
While the dominant historical discourse around Nazi persecutions has focused on Jewish genocide, Roma extermination, and political resistance, the plight of Black Germans is now increasingly recognized as part of the full scope of Nazi racial oppression. Sophie Osen Akhibi, a prominent figure in the Afro-German community, emphasizes the importance of aiming for professional and political influence to drive structural change, rather than remaining in a victimized state.
As we remember the horrors of the Nazi era, it is essential to acknowledge and learn from the experiences of all those who suffered under its racial ideology. By shining a light on the history of Germany's Black community during this time, we can complete the picture of Nazi-era persecution and work towards a more inclusive understanding of the past.
Kassi Bruce, a Togolese-German resident, created "German Africa Shows" as opportunities for Black people to survive financially during this difficult time. Despite the challenges, the resilience and courage of Germany's Black community have shone through, providing a testament to the human spirit in the face of adversity.
References: [2] Oguntoye, K. (1998). Schwarze Deutsche: Ein Lesebuch zur deutschen Schwarzen Geschichte. Rotbuch Verlag. Aitken, R. (2013). Black Germany: The Making of the Afro-German Community. Berghahn Books.
- The experiences of Black Germans during the Nazi era have long been overlooked, as their histories were overshadowed by larger narratives of Jewish victims and other persecuted groups.
- Education and self-development opportunities for Black Germans were limited by social exclusion and racist laws, marginalizing them in various aspects of life.
- Media platforms, such as the Theodor Wonja Michael library in Cologne and academic research, are now shedding light on the experiences of Black Germans, uncovering stories of resistance and courage.
- As the world continues to grapple with the past, it is crucial to recognize the histories and experiences of different racial and ethnic minority groups, including Black Germans, in order to foster a more inclusive understanding of societal injustices that continue to impact the world today.
