Foreigners

Angelika Before I hand over to Michael, I would like to thank you for the numerous responses regarding my inquiry about the growing xenophobia and right-wing radicalism in Germany. We have read and discussed your opinions with interest. Many of you pointed out that right-wing radicalism is not only present in Germany but also in many European countries and, of course, in the USA. It was also repeatedly mentioned that there is racism in the United States as well. We have never denied this and find any form of racism and right-wing radicalism--regardless of the country--alarming and extremely dangerous. On the other hand, I believe that Germany, due to its history, has a very special responsibility to nip xenophobia and right-wing radicalism in the bud. The thought "never again" must, in my opinion, be predominant in Germany. What true acceptance means became particularly clear to me in my interactions with some Jewish people I have met here. None of them rejected me or wanted nothing to do with me just because I am German. Many of them had bitter experiences with Nazi Germany. For example, a young student I befriended in one of my Berkeley courses had lost her grandmother in a concentration camp.

Hm, the transition will be difficult now, but I just wanted to get that off my chest...

Michael Well, you can say that again. That's why I'm adding my two cents: Living as a foreigner sharpens your senses for matters of this kind. It hasn't happened to me even once that some idiot spoke to me rudely just because I'm a foreigner. I would have given them a piece of my mind! On the contrary, people listen intently when I talk about how things are in Germany. And that's how I want it to be in Germany too. Don't mess things up! Don't embarrass me! And now, on to more pleasant things.

Oh my, time flies! I wanted to add something about the American Independence Day. This year, it fell on a Tuesday, and because of that, Monday was also a day off -- a four-day weekend, we cried tears of joy. With the "PERL MAN," we drove up almost all the way to the border of the state of Oregon, where the "Lassen National Park" is located.