ERFURT, Germany – In the summer of 2020, shortly after Germany lifted its first COVID-19 lockdown, Omar Diallo, a 22-year-old from Guinea, was out celebrating Eid al-Adha with friends in Erfurt. However, the night took a dark turn when they were confronted by three hostile individuals hurling racial slurs and eventually attacking them. Diallo’s friend had to be hospitalized due to the severity of the beating.
Being Black in Germany has always exposed individuals to various forms of racism, from daily humiliations to violent assaults. This risk is particularly heightened in eastern Germany due to its history of limited exposure to diversity and a growing far-right presence. In Thuringia, where Diallo resides, radical far-right groups have fostered a hostile environment towards minorities, including Black individuals.
The rise of the far-right party, Alternative for Germany (AfD), has further fueled concerns among Black Germans and African migrants like Diallo. In Thuringia, where state elections are impending, AfD, known for its anti-immigrant stance, is leading in the polls. Records from a nonprofit organization, Ezra, show a concerning trend of racist attacks in the region, with 85 incidents documented in 2023.
Doreen Denstaedt, Thuringia’s minister for migration, justice, and consumer protection, highlights the growing danger posed by authoritarian and populist forces in the region. As a mixed-race individual who faced racism growing up in East Germany, she stresses the need to address and challenge racist narratives prevailing in society.
Germany’s history of racism dates back to its colonial past when it held territories in Africa. The country has only recently begun acknowledging and apologizing for injustices committed during that period. The lack of awareness about Germany’s colonial history among Germans, as noted by Daniel Egbe, a chemist from Cameroon, contributes to the unequal treatment of Black individuals.
Despite the challenges and rise of far-right sentiments, individuals like Omar Diallo and Daniel Egbe remain committed to advocating for change and combatting racism in Germany. Diallo, now a law student in Munich, and Egbe, who founded an organization aiding African migrants facing discrimination in Thuringia, emphasize the importance of education in challenging prejudices and fostering a more inclusive society.
