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Voting Leave – expressing an identity crisis?
Brexit / Democracy / European Union / Politics / Uncategorized

Voting Leave – expressing an identity crisis?

Much has already been said about reasons people have voted to leave the European Union – the age gap, the frustration of marginalized working people or those living in rural areas, the anger and disappointment with the Westminster establishment all parties did not seem to address properly. But as a foreign born British resident (an … Continue reading

Hypocrite, Liar, Brexiteer vs. Phlegmatic, Waverer, Remainer
Democracy / Politics / Society

Hypocrite, Liar, Brexiteer vs. Phlegmatic, Waverer, Remainer

Brexiteer, n.: A person who supports Great Britain leaving the European Union. B. are easily distinguishable as their language involves the frequent use of subjunctives (example: “If Britain leaves the EU we could…”) and racist language (example: “Immigrants are ruining the NHS”). B. are also characterised by little knowledge or deliberate self-denial of knowledge about … Continue reading

From Hitler to Adenauer – The Western German Secret Services 1945 to 1956
History

From Hitler to Adenauer – The Western German Secret Services 1945 to 1956

In the Nazi Reich’s last days, in early April 1945, a group of German officers met in Bad Elster in Saxony. Among them were Generalmajor Reinhard Gehlen, still acting but discharged chief of the Wehrmacht branch “Foreign Armies East”, Lieutenant Colonel Gerhard Wessel, his successor, Lieutenant Colonel Hermann Baun, chief of the Army intelligence on … Continue reading

Cologne and Colonialism
Feminsm / History / Journalism / Media / Politics / Social Media

Cologne and Colonialism

The New Year’s Eve attacks on women in Cologne not only broke loose a discussion about harassment and sexual abuse in Germany but also a new wave of racism and deep-rooted fear. Many especially right-wing politicians and commentators were head over heels, asking for harsher rules on immigration and faster deportation. While doing so they … Continue reading

Of wheels and rhombi – German Financial Geometry
Democracy / History / Journalism / Media / Politics / Society

Of wheels and rhombi – German Financial Geometry

What did it take 76 years ago to drive a continent into despair and destruction? Tanks, guns and fascism. What does it take to drive a country into despair in 2015? A rhombus – Angela Merkel’s signature gesture –, a man in a wheelchair and financial fascism otherwise known as neoliberalism. July 13th 2015 could … Continue reading

Hitler’s Spies
History

Hitler’s Spies

Title picture: Civilian members, officers and a foreigner (called Sonderführer) of a Hamburg radio station. Source: Bundesarchiv, Bild 146-2005-0154 / CC-BY-SA   I had the idea for this essay during the conference „Geheimdienste: Netzwerke, Seilschaften und Patronage in nachrichtendienstlichen Institutionen“ in September 2014 in Erfurt. One of the moderators, Gerhard Sälter, a member of the … Continue reading

Pigs at War
History

Pigs at War

The (ab)use of animals was and still is by all means quite common in military history. But German historiography only slowly comes to terms with this topic. Therefore it was rather unexpected that the Museum of Military History in Dresden – opening its doors in 2011 – as a department of the German Bundeswehr exhibits … Continue reading

Forgotten Victims
History

Forgotten Victims

„Hannelore“ that was a woman. I can tell you: „someone entrusted me that she has a groom and a bride“. „Hannelore“ is one of the most famous songs of Berlin Cabaret star Claire Waldorff who was an open lesbian and one of the most successful cabaret singers in the early 1900s.  Even though the song … Continue reading

Wall Climber
History / Society

Wall Climber

Recently I came across a book that deals with the generation of East Germans born between 1975 and 1982. The author, Sabine Rennefanz, an East German herself, argues that those born between the mentioned years are so called Eisenkinder (“Iron Children”) which also is the title of her book. The book retells the story of … Continue reading

And God forbids… Religion, Prejudices and LGBT Rights in Southern Africa
Africa / Democracy / Religion

And God forbids… Religion, Prejudices and LGBT Rights in Southern Africa

Maybe Paul Kasonkomona knew about the risk he was taking when Early-April, he gave an interview in Zambia’s TV Channel Muvi TV in Luanda about gay and lesbian rights. The HIV and human rights activist appeared on a live television show and called for the decriminalisation of homosexual relationships which are strictly forbidden in conservative … Continue reading

Riding on the Wave of Fear – Gardening and Facebook Delusions
Gardening / Social Media

Riding on the Wave of Fear – Gardening and Facebook Delusions

It is gardening time. So, many of my Facebook-friends are publishing albums with flowers, some with the typical filter to give it a nostalgic atmosphere, some without. The pride of garden-owners is everywhere. Just in time news arrived on Facebook that the European Commission plans a new law concerning seeds which allows only registered seeds … Continue reading

Trials and Numbers – The Price of Water Privatisation Continued
Environment / Politics / Society

Trials and Numbers – The Price of Water Privatisation Continued

In a previous article I mentioned the documentary Water Makes Money. Having watched the documentary about the consequences of water privatisation more than two years ago on television I recently ordered the DVD to use it with students at university. When ordering the filmmakers informed me that a lawsuit had been filed against the French … Continue reading

Time Travelling: The Papal Election Unfolds An 800 Year Tradition
History / Religion

Time Travelling: The Papal Election Unfolds An 800 Year Tradition

As an atheist and being raised in the former German Democratic Republic, where the leaders followed Marx’ opinion “Religion is the opium of the people”, my relation to the Holy Father is non-existant. But as a mediaevalist it is an entirely different matter. I am fascinated by this institution, still alive after over 2.000 years, … Continue reading

The Stumbling Block – How Turkey and Greece Try to Claim Back their Cultural Assets
Archaeology / History

The Stumbling Block – How Turkey and Greece Try to Claim Back their Cultural Assets

Everybody who has ever seen the Pergamon Altar or the Parthenon cannot deny the fascination such monumental heritage creates. Clear lines carved in beautiful marble, sparkling slightly in the light, expressive sculptures looking endlessly noble and magnificent. In the 19th century the adoration for ancient sculptures reached its first climax,  classicism was born and around significant … Continue reading

Hidden Artists – How Fanfiction and Fanart Inspire People
Art / Fanart / Fanfiction / Film and Television / Literature / Social Media

Hidden Artists – How Fanfiction and Fanart Inspire People

A friend of mine made these wonderful sketches of Harry Potter characters and scenes a few years ago before the first film was released and changed most people’s perspective of the characters, before every Snape painting started to look like a gorgeous Alan Rickman.   Fanfiction and fanart has always been part of fan cultures, … Continue reading