Hang on. Are we discussing the kind of neo nazi that are really just angsty punks trying to look tough by offending people or actual believers in the historical nsdap and its policies? The cite, while disturbing, doesnt say ‘nazi’ to me anymore than the usual racist fuckstick does. Certainly a bunch of twats, though.
This is, indeed, a shocking and sad development. I personally would not have thought it possible, but it seems that there is much anti-semitism still lurking beneath the surface. I’m very sorry to see this.
But still, you have to differentiate, and try and avoid jumping to conclusions—there is a lot of ground between these protests and ‘neo-nazism is alive all over Germany’. First of all, anti-semitism and neo-nazism are not synonymous. Both are equally repugnant, but you can be an anti-semite without being a nazi. And indeed, this recent string of protests does not have its origin in nationalsocialist, but in pro-palestinian sentiments. Certainly, there will be neo-nazi groups attempting to capitalize on these disturbing trends. But if you look for yourself, you’ll see that the protesters in the videos, for the most part, are hardly your typical nazis.
So, it is indeed a disturbing, shocking, and saddening development that we are witnessing. But to trace it back to Germany’s nazi past, and see in it a sign of neo-nazism being on the rise again, is an overgeneralization and unfair misattribution.
I still maintain that you should try and visit Germany open-mindedly. I’m unfortunately not as certain as I was before, but still very confident in saying that nothing like the hotel manager ‘exercising his right to free speech’ upon learning your name is going to occur.
So please wait at least until you’ve made some first-hand experiences before you condemning all of us as neo-nazis.
Neither link contains evidence of “neo-Naziism,” which is what you were on about both in the thread title and in the OP.
Antisemitism, yes; “neo-Naziism,” no.
Well, shame on them for being assholes. I’m still going to state that, assuming you avoid walking directly through pro-Palestinian demonstrations, you will have a lovely and violence-free visit to Germany. When are you coming over?
Cartoon,
There’s two ways you can keep safe from Neo-Nazis in Germany.
The first is to ask every German you meet if he’s a Neo-Nazi. If he denies it, that’s exactly what one of those rascals would do so don’t stop until he admits that he’s at least a little bit Nazi. Then you’ll know what to expect from that person.
The other option is to go undercover as a Neo-Nazi so that they don’t suspect you of not being one of their own and you can infiltrate them. For this, you will need to wear a Nazi uniform at all times to blend into Germany society. Don’t forget to greet Germans with “Heil Merkel!” or your cover will be blown and you won’t be safe from the Nazis anymore.
Whoa, Nazis have time travel now?
It’s starting to sound like you really really want to find neo-Nazis on your trip, like you’d relish the event.
Because the impression I get from reading your posts is less “what’s the reality of this thing in modern Germany?” and more “where can I find the best Weissbier?”
Not in the least, RobDog.
steken Ooooooooh, I see. It’s very much okay because it doesn’t involve Neo-Nazis? Gotcha. Thanks for the clarification.
I posted the title of this thread as I did because not in my wildest dreams did I imagine that another group of Jew-haters would wind up involved in this level of violent attacks. By all means, I will ask a Mod to alter the title so those of you hiding behind semantics won’t have a place to crouch.
:rolleyes:
Half Man Half Wit, interesting post. What I found most chilling was this:
Read that quote a few times through. I did. I thought a lot about your post, actually. For here’s a post that seems thoughtful and sensitive. And yet right there- you made the most base racist assumption.
Please do educate us- take a look at the two photographs just below. Who looks like your typical terrorist? Exactly what does “your typical nazi” look like?
Now, I intend to have a great time on this trip. Enjoy seeing extended family and some of the sights to be seen all over Germany.
I do wonder- exactly how long will it take between the violent Anti-Semetic protests linked by me above until, well, people who apparently look more like nazis take to the streets in acts of violence against Jews in Germany.
I never said it was “very much okay.” Please retract that statement.
There is a real and meaningful difference between Nazism and popular Arabic and Middle Eastern anti-Semitism. The fact that you do not know this reveals your ignorance about the matter.
As for “your typical Nazi,” he or she would usually be Caucasian (though there are exceptions).
That’s OK then, my misinterpretation.
You will find good Weissbier though 
First of all, the assumption that I was talking about race is entirely yours: my point stands as well regarding the lack of Nazi insignia or paraphernalia, and the presence of pro-palestinian banners instead; so you should be more careful before you accuse another of seeing the world through colored glasses.
Second, it’s a simple fact that Nazis are a group that self-selects by race; it’s in no way racist to point that out. By the same token, you’d be hard-pressed to find a black klansman. It’s a racist group, after all.
So, your attempt to tar me with the racist brush doesn’t quite hit its mark, I’m afraid.
Cartooniverse, in the UK there are regular parades where people display flags and pennants asking to “kill the Papists” (sometimes much more graphically). While I certainly wasn’t comfortable seeing one, it’s something that comes up at specific times in specific places - I learned to avoid those specific parades, but I’m certainly not afraid that I’ll be assaulted for my religion (sitting in “the North” of England right now).
Take it easy, man, or you’ll give yourself an ulcer.
Like Steken said, there is a big difference between Neo-Nazis and (mostly) Arabic pro Palestina protestors who can be very anti-semetic (or anti-Israel).
It’s actually funny sometimes to see real neo nazis struggle with being on the “same side” as the these guys, because they typically aren’t too smart and their main belief is: “hate furriners”.
It’s funny, because the neo nazis are such a small and inconsequential group in society and you typically need to watch a documentary or some such to see this.
The pro palestine sentiment is a far bigger issue and not so much aimed at Jews as a people, but the actions of Israel. I’d be the first to admit many conflate these two.
Honestly? As someone who lives on the border between France and Germany, it hasn’t ever been a real issue. There is the occasional graffiti (but nothing as bad as when I told a teacher in junior high that my classmate had covered the top of his desk with swastikas and she handed me a rag and told me to clean it off if it bothered me so much. This in a school district that started the year a day late because of Rosh Hashana).
No one will know that your name is Cohen or Levy or Chaim McJewerson. By and large, no one cares. My family has been avoiding any and all protests by filling the local news.
I actually encounter more curiosity at my religion than anything else. And make it a rule not to talk politics with casual acquaintances.
Well, being Jewish, Dad sort of took the Nuremberg Laws and Kristallnacht personally. Maybe you’d say too personally. And maybe I do too, but I think fair is fair. If 4 fifth grade boys can beat up second grade me for killing Jesus 1,925 or so years before I was born, I figure I can bear some bad feelings towards Germans.
Though, to put things in a different perspective, Dad never forgave baseball for letting the Dodgers abandon Brooklyn. So I don’t care about baseball either.
Then don’t fucking go to Germany. Pick a country with a perfect history.
nm
Well stated.
Except for the baseball part.
I had to go to Brooklyn early this morning for a meeting. Took my passport and everything. --shudder-- They have their Cyclones. That’s enough.
I’m sorry, but your lifetime of experience living in the area as a member of the targeted minority is clearly going to have to be trumped by a couple of news stories and YouTube videos. You obviously don’t know what’s going on.
I’ve lived in Germany for something around 9 years now, about half and half in Munich and Mainburg (a small town about 80 miles north of Munich). In that time, I’ve occasionally encountered a person who looked a bit like a skinhead on the street; although upon further examination, most of those were almost certainly just metalheads. They certainly weren’t sporting Nazi symbols. I saw one right-wing-radical demonstration when I went up to Leipzig, but it was fairly small.
What I’ve found is that, as far as I can tell, people here are a lot less tolerant of right-wing extremism and especially racism than in the USA. OP, you have no idea what you’re talking about - modern Germany is about as dangerous as 1930s Britain.