Migration and Racism

The Fifth Wall - Thematic walk through the archive on: 


MIGRATION AND RACISM

Developed by Dr. Rubaica Jaliwala

The digital archive, The Fifth Wall, is a treasure trove of material comprising films, reportages, texts, letters, photos, which is a tremendous resource to discuss themes of interculturality and diversity, gender, racism and migration and to explore strategies to transform hierarchies.

This thematic walk on MIGRATION AND RACISM is just one example of how the archive can be used for educational purposes. Accordingly, the sessions, process and flow of the thematic walk can be adapted to different settings, contexts and target groups. The programme below can be made interdisciplinary by presenting the archival material within a theoretical framework and using an interactive training methodology.

 

I. Introduction

1. Trainer introduction

2. Explain the flow and process of the session

3. Brief introduction to the theme

 

II. Prejudices

1. Film: BIONATIONAL MARRIAGES, 1982 (10:47 mins)

This reportage by Sundaram addresses everyday racism in Germany experienced by binational couples.

Discussion questions:

- What kind of justifications do people use for their prejudices and racist comments?

- What is the purpose of prejudices?

- How are German women marrying non-Germans depicted as compared to German men marrying non-German women? What is this about?

- This was way back in 1982, do you think things have changed? And if yes, to what extent?

2. Film: FOREIGNERS’ TEST, 1982 (6:23 mins)

In a partly satirical piece for “extra drei”, Sundaram reports on an experiment at the University of Bremen, which tries to prove that prejudices and xenophobia are not innate.

Discussion questions:

- What do you think of the experiment?

- Do you agree with the Greek scientist Georgios Tsiakalos that prejudices are not innate but learnt? How do we learn prejudices?

- Are public and political debates from 1982 similar to those today?

- Do you agree with him that an integration policy meant to dismantle prejudices may actually have the opposite effect and reinforce prejudices through ascription?

additional/ optional:

Commentary: GEORGIOS TSIAKALOS ON “FOREIGNERS’ TEST”, 2021 (4:30 mins)

In this commentary, Georgios Tsiakalos reflects on the test and immigrants politics from today’s perspective.

3. Film excerpt: WHEN THE WELCOME SPEECHES FADE AWAY, 1979:  29:21 - 32:02 (2:20 mins)

The film reports on the arrival of a group of “boat people” in Frankfurt, who, as “good anti-communist asylum seekers” from Vietnam are “politically marketable” and being supported through a 3-step plan of state-regulated integration.

Discussion questions:

- How is the process of integration seen?

- Why is the German social worker worried about the future of these youngsters? Why is the Vietnamese social worker more positive about their future?

- What impact can the integration policy and process have on migrants?

 

III. Internalised dominance

1. Film excerpts: DARSHAN SINGH WANTS TO STAY IN LEVERKUSEN, 1973

The film centre on Asian residents expelled from Uganda by Idi Amin in 1972, who leave for the UK overnight. The German Federal Labour Office offers to take in up to 1000 people, but only 30 decide to leave for Germany. Sundaram accompanies the da Couhna and Singh families into their new lives in Una and Leverkusen. 

Excerpt 1: 13:44 - 16:00 (2:56 mins)

Excerpt 2: 32:29 - 37:22 (4:93 mins)

Discussion questions:

- What images and assumptions underlie the attitudes in these two excerpts?

- What underlies these assumptions? What is the conflict/behaviour/situation in reality about?

(Emphasise that internalised dominance is at play - explain if not clear what the term means)

2. Film excerpts: MY CITY, YOUR CITY, 1976

The film portrays the city of Mannheim, a working class city, from the perspective of two workers: Heinz Schmid, a native of Mannheim, and Abdul Rahman, a guest worker from Turkey.

Excerpt 1: 24:27 - 26:50 (2:23 mins)

Excerpt 2: 31:50 - 34:14 (2:64 mins)

Discussion questions:

- Did anything surprise you about the film excerpts?

- What are the arguments used by Heinz Schmidt to avoid closer contact with migrant coworkers?

- What do Germans have that the migrants don’t?

- How often are migrants given a voice, back then and today?

- How does this behaviour benefit Schmidt?

- What function does internalised dominance serve - at an individual and social level?

 

IV. Discrimination

1. Film excerpts: DARSHAN SINGH WANTS TO STAY IN LEVERKUSEN, 1973

Excerpt 1: 3:42 - 4:30 (0:88 secs)

Excerpt 2: 37:24 - 40:00 (2:76 mins)

Discussion questions:

- What did you notice in these excerpts? How are these examples similar and different?

- What kind of discrimination is this (interpersonal, socio-cultural, institutional)?

- Can you narrate similar examples that you may have witnessed or experienced in your own life?

2. Film excerpts: ORDERED TO LEAVE GERMANY, 1977

In her second feature for the “Nahaufnahme” series, Sundaram uncovers a borderline case of the Indian family Chatterjee, who are about to lose their right of residence after 25 years of legal presence in Germany.

Excerpt 1: 20:10 - 21:54 (1:44 mins)

Excerpt 2: 31:24 - 38:38 (7:14 mins)

Discussion questions:

- What kinds of discrimination do these two excerpts depict?

- What kind of discrimination does the official’s behaviour depict?

- Why do you think the law is elastic? Who benefits from an elastic law?

3. Commentary: MIGRATION IN THE FRG, 2004 (2:40 mins)

Discussion questions:

- The situation has changed from 1964 to 1997 and up to 2004. From all the excerpts we’ve seen so far, in what way has it changed?

- How do government policies impact on its citizens? What signals does it send to people? What is happening in the world today, be it Germany, USA or India?

 

V. Action / Intervention

1. Film excerpt: DARSHAN SINGH WANTS TO STAY IN LEVERKUSEN, 1973: 30:45 - 32:25 (1:80 mins)

Discussion questions:

- This is one way of challenging racism head on. Whether filmmakers, journalists, artists, curators, etc., how can one deal with racism in their practices?

- What does one need to challenge power structures in society?

(e.g. for media practitioners: taking on different perspectives, not showing the exotic but depicting complexity, focusing on friendships, work ethics, leisure time activities)

2. End with Commentary:  I TOOK A STAND, 2018 (2:02)