Open AccessThe Dynamics of Othering in Activism as Part of Germany’s Post-2015 “Willkommenskultur”
Author(s) -
Linda Becht,
Laura Boucsein,
Katharina Mayr
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
dve domovini
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.255
H-Index - 9
eISSN - 1581-1212
pISSN - 0353-6777
DOI - 10.3986/dd.2018.1.04
Subject(s) - power (physics) , refugee , gender studies , dynamics (music) , sociology , political science , media studies , law , pedagogy , physics , quantum mechanics
The article critically evaluates the involvement of activists in the country’s often praised Willkommenskultur (culture of welcome). Using humanitarianism as a starting point, it investigates the ways activists otherise refugees in spite or because of seemingly good intentions. The analysis of interviews conducted with activists in Northern Germany showed that Othering among activists takes different forms, depending on their form of involvement and individual characteristics, such as their (lack of a) personal flight history. Exclusionary Othering is predominantly used by activists who are not sensitised to power hierarchies, while other activists often employ inclusive Othering when attempting to connect on an equal level.