Germany: still racist

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By Terry

Europe is currently engrossed in a migrant crises.  Germany has witnessed he bulk of the crises and has seen an increase in anti-migration sentiment as far right politicians gain more popularity.

The German right-wing Alternative Fuer Deutschland Party (AFD) has come under fire over racist comments made by one of its leaders. The comments were made  about the German National and athlete Jerome Boateng. Boateng plays Defense for Bayern Munich in the National League. 

On Sunday, the Deputy Chief Alexander Gauland stated that Germans would not like to have Boateng as a neighbor. Boateng is a German National, but his father is Ghanaian. 

The statement, which was carried by the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung quoted Gauland as saying: "people find him good as a footballer, but they don't want to have Boateng as a neighbour." Gauland later denied the the statement reflected his own views by saying he "never insulted Mr Boateng.” The remark has since drawn criticism and condemnation from most Germans. The leader of the AFD, Frauke Peter, apologized for the "impression that has arisen.” Additionally, Vice-Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel said the comment demonstrated "that Gauland is not just against foreigners, but against the good things about Germany.”

Despite racist comments of right-wing leaders, Germans showed support for Boateng. During the National Team match against Slovakia, in which Germany lost 3-1, fans held up banners of love for the athlete. After the match, Boateng told reporters that "I can only smile about it. In all honesty, it's sad that  something like that still gets said nowadays.” However, Boateng upholds a positive attitude about his nationality and countrymen. He told media that 

"I am happy to be German, I'm proud or I wouldn't be here on the team. I believe I am well integrated and there is nothing more I need to say."

Boateng isn’t the only athlete who’s fallen victim to racist remarks. An official of the AFD, Andrea Kersten, also  criticized Mezut Ozil, a Muslim of Turkish origin, for publishing a photograph on social media of himself on a pilgrimage to Mecca. According to Kersten, the image was sending "an unpatriotic signal".

Source: 

BBC

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