„I want to normalize a critical approach to colonialism, and I know that many people have difficulties with this. But I am also pleasantly surprised that there are many white people, including many white Germans, who are willing to adopt this critical perspective,“ Mvemba told DW.
A memorial plaque at Wilhelmstraße 92 in Berlin-Mitte has commemorated the Berlin-Africa or Congo Conference of 1884 since 2005. It is used by many people as a sightseeing spot on important city tours - including DeSta (Decolonial City Tour). „On Sunday, January 25, I did another city tour and the memorial plaque was there. On the following Thursday, January 29, it had disappeared,“ says Justice Mvemba, founder of DeSta, in an interview with the Berliner Zeitung.
Continuities of German colonial crimes are still visible in Berlin today. Justice Mvemba wants to contribute to more education and enlightenment about this chapter of German history with the Decolonial City Tours - for example in the African Quarter, on topics such as black feminism or looted art in the Berlin Palace. Photo: Decolonial city tour/
The Dortmund Museum caused a stir in 2023 with a BIPoC-only day, which was intended to create a protected space for black, indigenous and people of color. While many praised this initiative as progressive, there were also critical voices that drew parallels to segregation. But what is really behind this debate? How does racism as a system influence our perception and our coexistence? The exclusive day raises important questions about responsibility, history and how we treat each other. Read on to find out more about the background and the different perspectives!
The controversial debates about the Humboldt Forum / Berlin Palace building complex continue. Right-wing infiltration and colonial traditions - a recurring déjà vu of socio-economic-historical amnesia emerges with these topics. It is a phenomenon of "innocent" oblivion. The forgotten history of Christian symbolism at the Berlin Palace/Humboldt Forum We live in the legacy of colonialism and [...]
Today we are talking about a children's playground in Berlin Mitte, the Volkspark Friedrichshain. Racism is still trivialized in various ways today, both intentionally and unintentionally. This leads us to normalize violent expressions or games. Those affected experience microaggressions. Here are examples of what this can look like: Let's get into the topic now: [...]
Today we are talking about a children's playground in Berlin Mitte, the Volkspark Friedrichshain. Racism is still trivialized in various ways today, both intentionally and unintentionally. This leads us to normalize violent expressions or games. Those affected experience microaggressions. Here are examples of what this can look like: Let's get into the topic now: [...]
