Missing black role models in Germany
Children need role models as a source of inspiration. It is even better when this role model is a reflection of whom one is. In a country like Germany where black people are a minority you will hardly to see or hear about influencial black people over the main stream media. There are so many educated, successful and smart Africans living and working in Germany for example; great medical doctors, ingenieurs, lawyers, IT, journalist, bankers, musicians, actors, Chefs, you name it.. but we hardly get to see or hear positive news about black people. In movies black people often get the miserable roles if at all. Some who have succeeded breaking through, last only for a short period of time with their popularity. There is hope that one day this perception of black people in the diaspora as a whole will change. When I drop off my children at school, I see a tagless future. A future full of children of the world (Weltkinder) who know no boundaries. They will feel at home everywhere. Today we have a black president in the US tomorrow it might be Germany or China why not? The day shall come I am convinced. Maischna Magazine is one of the few platforms in Germany that portrays the positive and beautiful images of people of African heritage. Be inspired!
This is my first time visiting your platform, and I look forward to investigating it a bit more. However, I’d immediately like to comment on your remark about being “one of the few platforms in Germany” spotlighting positive images of people of African descent.
Although we might not (yet) network as well as we should, there is actually a lot going on in the community-at-large to spotlight positive activities, trends and personalities. Be it activism, personal excellence of both celebrities and private people, the history of people of African descent in Germany or role models from overseas, many have taken up the yoke of getting that important information out to other interested parties. And I think that’s a wonderful thing! We can’t – and shouldn’t! – depend on mainstream to be the major avenue of telling our stories. Only we can ensure that our authentic voices are replicated, and we must also ensure our authentic stories are made available throughout the Diaspora.
Let’s start by acknowledging those many who have already taken up the banner. Let’s start by casting off the “deficit mentality” and honor the abundance we already have – as incomplete as it may still be – so it is empowered to grow and multiply!