Die Alltäglichkeit des Rassismus
The Banality of Everyday Racism

Summary/Abstract: The essay addresses the current rise of racism in Germany. Four important reasons for the emergence of racist attitudes are mentioned: the colonial heritage, the right wing political and social shift, the pandemic environment and ongoing migration. Since racism in Germany is a very emotional topic and a social taboo, open discussions about it are inhibited by Angst of social ostracism. The essay proposes a different strategy: addressing everyday racism in a neutral and analytical way, other than the polemic and divisive tone of today’s debate. The expressions of racism have changed over time. From colonial times up to the 1970s they were explicit and loud, after that they became hidden and implicit. Today we witness the return of the open and often aggressive racism of the past. New forms of racism have emerged, for example ethnic and cultural ones. This essay holds the view that there is a psychological similarity between learning how to be an antiracist and the learning of intercultural competence.

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