Turkish Migrants' Organizations: Promoting Tolerance Toward the Diversity of Turkish Migrants in Germany

Abstract

Since the beginning of their migration, Turkish migrants (TMs) have formed numerous civic organizations of diverse types in Germany. Various studies have examined the social, economic, and political situation of Turkish migrants in Germany over the past fifteen years. A gap persists concerning the role of Turkish migrants' umbrella organizations (TMUOs) as antiracist organizations and representatives of the Turkish migrant community. While they establish relations with German political parties, trade unions, and municipal authorities, it is unclear whether such interactions are motivated by TMUOs' interest in promoting tolerance toward the diversity of Turkish migrants in Germany. Combining approaches from organizational sociology and migration research, this article aims to generate an empirically founded knowledge of TMUOs and how they have reacted to various German policies of acculturation. It is specifically concerned with: (1) the aims and activities of TMUOs; (2) the role and function of these organizations as representatives of the Turkish population; (3) the methods and strategies that TMUOs use to influence the German policy and public in order to eliminate racism toward Turkish migrants; and (4) the possibilities available to them to promote antiracism in Germany. The article shows that many organizations were established because of social, economic, and political discrimination against TMs in Germany. It shows that TMUOs are involved in activities to support TM integration into the German society as well as in defensive moves to protect them from discrimination. My main argument is that TMUOs' efforts to support the integration of TMs into the German society have generally been ignored. These organizations are excluded in many cases from negotiations with the government and thus have limited impact on the growth of Turkish minority rights in Germany.