Germany’s Post-Cologne Hysteria
By Anna Sauerbrey
Jan 8, 2016
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/09/opinion/germanys-post-cologne-hysteria.html?comments#permid=17165825
I left Germany in 1963 to become, ultimately, an American Citizen, I have spent many years living and working in Germany with my (American) family, in the 80's and 90's. I am thus an (interested) outside observer of events in Germany.
In general, I am very impressed with the way Germany has developed since I left, not just economically (everyone knows that), but, more interestingly, socially. In that context, I think Germany deserves a lot of credit for the way it has dealt with previous waves of "immigration", the Italian, Greek and Turkish "guest workers", European integration, the strains of reunification, and now the refugee crisis.
It is true, that "integration" is not a strong suit in Germany, or in Europe - even people there in the second generation are still often referred to as "foreigners". True integration of new arrivals has been one of the great success stories of the US - with notable exceptions (African Americans).
But while Americans seem to be getting increasingly paranoid about the "outside world", Germany is showing an amazing openness, both for European integration and accepting refugees.
The hysteria after the Cologne events are disturbing, but to be expected, and not at all pervasive. By contrast, given a similar event in the US today, I would hate to see the reaction of the current batch of Republican candidates, in their haste to claim positions on the farthest right, fanning hysterical paranoia and fear.
In general, I am very impressed with the way Germany has developed since I left, not just economically (everyone knows that), but, more interestingly, socially. In that context, I think Germany deserves a lot of credit for the way it has dealt with previous waves of "immigration", the Italian, Greek and Turkish "guest workers", European integration, the strains of reunification, and now the refugee crisis.
It is true, that "integration" is not a strong suit in Germany, or in Europe - even people there in the second generation are still often referred to as "foreigners". True integration of new arrivals has been one of the great success stories of the US - with notable exceptions (African Americans).
But while Americans seem to be getting increasingly paranoid about the "outside world", Germany is showing an amazing openness, both for European integration and accepting refugees.
The hysteria after the Cologne events are disturbing, but to be expected, and not at all pervasive. By contrast, given a similar event in the US today, I would hate to see the reaction of the current batch of Republican candidates, in their haste to claim positions on the farthest right, fanning hysterical paranoia and fear.
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