People of Germany Speak out Against Racism: It is Enough, We are Here

* Picture on upper left corner: Picture Alliance

A far-right extremist launched an armed attack against two shisha bars in Hanau on February 19, claiming the lives of 11 people, including the suspect himself. Five citizens of Turkey also lost their lives in the incident.

Following this attack, Germany's Die Zeit newspaper has spoken to 142 people about their experiences of hate and discrimination in the country.

In its news report entitled "Racism: We are here" and published yesterday (February 26), the newspaper says, "It is enough! Germany has a racism problem. 142 people who are subjected to hate speak here" and makes the following observations and evaluations about the issue:

'What else has to happen to protect people?'

"The terrorist attack in Hanau was not surprising for many people in Germany. They had long been warning against racist attacks, but they felt that they were not taken seriously.

"What else has to happen until the ones subjected to hate are protected, right extremism is fought against and this country finally changes?"

Among the ones who have spoken to the newspaper for this news report are also writer Ferda Ataman, politicians Cem Özdemir, Sevim Dağdelen and Serap Güler as well as several other prominent figures such as TV Moderator Dunja Hayali and journalist-writer Hasnain Kazim.

Heiko Maas, the Foreign Minister of Germany, has also shared the news report on his official Twitter account attaching the note: "142 people talk about the hate they encounter in everyday life: racism. There could be millions. I want to thank everyone who keeps raising their voices - here it becomes clear once again why this is so important."

We have compiled some of these messages for you:

'It was about racism, nothing else'

Ferda Ataman (Writer)

"Now, everyone is asking us how we are doing after this racist terrorist attack. They ask us because we - the ones with a 'migration background' - automatically belong to the victim group.

"But if we belong to the victim group, the questioners belong to the perpetrator group. I think we should ask: How are you doing?"

Cem Özdemir (Greens MP at the Federal Parliament of Germany)

"What was done in Hanau was about racism, nothing else. But, here in Germany, nobody should be afraid just because she or he looks different. 2020 must go down in history as the year in which Germany finally drains the right swamp online and offline once and for all and combats right-wing terror with all the hardness of the rule of law."

Sevim Dağdelen (The Left Party MP at the Federal Parliament)

"Right-wing terror in Hanau comes from racist agitation and inhuman hatred. The calls to get together are right and important, but they remain cheap if the great social division in our country is hidden at the same time.

"In addition to a firm fight to be waged by security authorities against right-wing extremist groups and networks, the social question must become a central issue in the fight against the right."

Serap Güler (Politician from Christian Democratic Union (CDU))

"The worst thing about Hanau is that it makes you feel like a foreigner in your own country, as if you do not really belong in the end because you can be targeted at any time. This creates fear and worry that will not diminish if racists are still elected to parliaments after this terrible act - as is now the case in Hamburg. We are a country with strong messages, such as the never-to-be-reproached 'Never again!'. But as important as these messages are: I prefer actions such as the expulsion of fascists from our parliaments.

Dunja Hayali (TV Moderator)

"We must finally turn our eyes from the big attacks to the the supposedly small attacks - to everyday racism. Looking away, saying nothing, relativizing... It is no longer possible. The extreme right poison destroys us and our democracy."

'We no longer have the luxury of keeping silent'

Nalan Sipar (Moderator)

"You and I... We no longer have the luxury of keeping silent. After Hanau, everyone has to be loud and politically active.

Şeyda Kurt (Writer)

"We write, we scream, we warn, we suffer, we mourn, we fall silent. We heal. We write. Now it is your turn."

Sawsan Chebli (Undersecretary)

"We have a racism problem in Germany. Migrants are afraid, feel themselves strangers and no longer safe in their own country. Hanau does not come out of the blue. At least, everyone must now be aware that the work of the AfD and its helpers, this uninhibited language, this hatred and the constant agitation against Muslims and migrants have fatal consequences."

Caner Teker (Artist)

"The terrorist attack in Hanau: It is quiet inside me, I am full of anger and unbelievable sadness. It is not an isolated act - and racism continues to grow. I was glad that there were solidarities and rallies across Germany. We can overcome boundaries with affinity and solidarity and we must not forget."

Düzen Tekkal (Human rights activist, political scientist, journalist)

"My brothers, sisters and I would have been targets of the Hanau assassin and, unfortunately, are also 'foreigners' in the eyes of some of our fellow citizens. We are not foreigners, but born here. We are Germans who believe in Germany, its democracy, openness and opportunities."

'Germany is already my home'

Cansel Kızıltepe (Social Democratic Party of Germany)

"Does a person wants to live in a country that creates misanthropy, racism and right-wing terror? But where to? I am not a foreigner. Germany is already my home."

Salwa Houmsi (Journalist)

"By the way, it is a white privilege if this right-wing terrorist attack leaves you shocked and affected, but does not restrict you in your everyday life. After sleeping a few nights over Hanau, the pain has not somehow become okay or better for many of us. What I want from Germany and from white people now is that you listen to us, that we are given space and that our fear of dying is taken seriously - especially at the political level.

Deniz Aytekin (Referee)

"The incidents in Hanau shook me deeply and left me speechless. The pain of the relatives must be beyond description. My thoughts are with the families and friends of the victims."

İdil Nuna Baydar (Comedian, alias Jilet Ayşe)

"I have been talking about racism for seven years, warning people about it, sometimes humorously, sometimes aggressively, sometimes with foreign words. But the Germans do nothing except cover up and deny.

"My predictions have all come true. Innocent people are shot. I am getting death threats. Officials and police officers are promoted despite racist statements. What else can you say? It just makes me angry and helpless."

Hasnain Kazim (Journalist and writer)

"Sarrazin's theories, the NSU murders, the election of the AfD to the Bundestag, the murder of Walter Lübcke, the terror of Halle and Hanau make me feel that I am not wanted because of my skin color and my roots in Germany. I still hope that the majority will not think so.

"But if right-wing extremists ever rule in Germany again, I'm gone. It will not be an escape, but a conscious decision that I make with my head held high. I wish everyone who wants to be governed by these people good luck - but without me." (SD)