The KAAD seminar, which took place from 20th to 23rd of February at the Episcopal Academy of the Diocese of Aachen, therefore focused on racism as a system that structures society and looked at how racism works on an individual and collective level. By familiarising students with different perspectives, the seminar aimed to sensitise them to this topic, promote their ability to speak and jointly develop possible courses of action based on experience reports and practical tips. The seminar, which was led by Dr Laura Büttgen from the Episcopal Academy of the Diocese of Aachen and Dr Marko Kuhn and Miriam Rossmerkel from the KAAD Africa Department, with spiritual guidance from Dr Stefan Voges from the Diocese of Aachen, offered a mixed space in which the scholars with different levels of experience of racism could encounter each other in a discrimination-sensitive and appreciative manner.
Resilience and mental health of racialised people were also discussed and a permanently accessible ‘Safer Space’ with racism-sensitive psychological support was offered. The speakers were anti-racism trainer Jinan Dib and Rose Kapuya (Praxis KraftFarben, Aachen). Tobias Spiegelberg and Fabian Ceska from Detox Identity offered a workshop on resource-orientated learning about racism.
In the following, KAAD scholar Bereket Mamo Gebremeskel reflects on his impressions:
“Despite my demanding work schedule from my PhD work, I made the conscious decision to participate in the seminar "Rassismus besprechbar machen" ("Making Racism Discussable"). I recognized the significance of engaging in discussions about racism, especially given the deep-seated impact it has on individuals and societies. The urgency of addressing racism outweighed my time constraints, and I felt compelled to contribute to and learn from this important discourse.
My experience at the seminar was incredibly fruitful. The discussions and insights shared by both speakers and participants broadened my understanding of how racism permeates daily life. From small social circles to institutional structures, I learned how deeply racism affects its victims, often in ways that are overlooked by those who do not experience it first-hand. Stories shared by affected individuals highlighted how racism is not just about explicit discrimination but also about microaggressions and systemic inequalities that persist in various aspects of life.
The guest speakers introduced thought-provoking topics, providing historical and sociological perspectives on racism. They discussed how racism manifests in both blatant and subtle ways, from outright discrimination to seemingly innocuous stereotypes. One of the most eye-opening discussions was about the concept of “positive racism,” where certain races are stereotyped as naturally gifted in areas such as sports or academia, an idea that still confines individuals to preconceived notions and limits personal agency.
One of the challenges of the seminar was engaging in discussions on such a sensitive topic. Conversations about racism are often charged with emotion, making it difficult to navigate without tension. However, I realized that bravery is essential in breaking the silence and dismantling the taboos surrounding discussions on racism. While courage is necessary, it must be complemented by love and respect to ensure meaningful and constructive dialogue. Approaching the discussion with empathy fosters a space where individuals feel safe to share their experiences and perspectives.
Another crucial takeaway was understanding that racism is not always intentional. People may commit racist actions unconsciously, influenced by ingrained societal biases. Moreover, even those who identify as non-racist often unknowingly benefit from structural privileges that racism has established over time. Acknowledging these privileges is a necessary step toward dismantling oppressive systems and fostering true equality.
While discussions and awareness-raising activities are crucial, history has shown that achieving real change often requires more than dialogue and soft diplomacy. The successes of movements such as the anti-slavery movement, the civil rights movement, the anti-colonial struggle, and the feminist movement were all achieved through persistent and sometimes bitter struggles, from street demonstrations to armed resistance. However, history also offers examples of powerful non-violent resistance, such as the strategies used by Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela, proving that transformative change can be achieved through peaceful means. This highlights the necessity of action, whether through advocacy, education, policy changes, or non-violent resistance, alongside open discussion.
Despite these challenges, maintaining optimism is essential in the fight for a just and non-racist society. Believing in the possibility of change helps suppress the normalization of racism in our daily lives. However, this raises profound questions: Will racism ever be entirely abolished? Will there comes a time when all human beings are treated with equal dignity and respect? Maybe yes, maybe no. But continuing the conversation and taking action remain our collective responsibility.
