Identity and Diversity in Post-Unification Germany

Abstract

Abstract Since at least the late nineteenth century, hegemonic German society has understood itself as a white, homogenous nation. However, despite white Germans’ anxiety around separating themselves from racialized Others, for centuries there have been several groups of racialized minorities whose presence in Germany constantly challenged this white self-image. This essay examines the diversity of post-unification Germany by focusing on five groups: Roma and Sinti, Jews, Black Germans, Turkish Germans, and Vietnamese Germans. By using examples from post-unification literature, it takes a closer look at how the presence and participation of these racialized groups in German society has both been challenged by and managed to challenge German national identity. Although each group has a very different historical trajectory within Germany, each one currently contributes to the mosaic of post-unification German society and each group faces discrimination, and acts of physical and verbal violence, while individual members within each group try to define themselves on their own terms.