Ramapo’s Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies (CHGS) continued its Open Classroom Series with an “Antisemitism and Islamophobia in Contemporary Germany” lecture on Friday. The lecture was hosted by CHGS Director Dr. Jacob Ari Labendz and guest speaker Dr. Armin Langer.
Langer, scholar and professor of European studies at the University of Florida, spoke to students and attendees of the webinar on the current sociopolitical climate of Germany, as it relates to the topics of antisemitism and islamophobia, immigration and the struggles of identity and belonging.
“I invited Dr. Langer to class because he is not only an academic expert in the shifting terms of Jewish and Muslim belonging in Germany, but because he has been at the forefront of the project to build ties between these two minoritized communities in Berlin,” Labendz stated in an email to The Ramapo News.
Langer began the lecture with an overview of “what it means to belong in Germany as a Muslim or Jew today,” where he provided context for the tensions that exist in those areas of German society, namely, that many Germans do not see Jewish or Muslim people as being citizens of the country.
A study included in Langer’s lecture revealed that as of 2018, only about 46% of Germans viewed Jews as being citizens of Germany.
“Given the complexity of German and Jewish history, you would think the numbers would be higher,” Langer said during the lecture.
He then discussed the historical context of Jewish and Muslim communities in Germany, giving a brief synopsis of the patterns of migration into Germany of these groups throughout recent history. The historical context, Labendz stated, is a critical part of the understanding of the condition of Jewish and Muslim communities in Germany today.”
“Holocaust memory looms large over discussions of antisemitism and even Islamophobia,” Labendz said. “This naturally plays an outsized role in German political culture, drawing specific phenomena into clearer view.”
Langer additionally spoke of the dueling viewpoints on immigration in German contemporary society and politics, and how there is a rise in the “dominant culture” worldview — a far-right ideology held largely by the Alternative for Germany or AfD party. This party is hostile towards immigration and holds a “very exclusive definition of what it means to be German,” according to Langer. Belonging, Labendz says, is a key takeaway from Langer’s informative discussion on the incredibly complex and timely issues that face German society today.
“[Langer]’s lecture drew into focus how even global trends in antisemitism and islamophobia take distinctive shape in varied contexts. He also did something of great value: Dr. Langer didn’t focus on measuring or counting manifestations of bigotry. Instead, he began his talk with a broader focus on belonging and identity,” Labendz stated. “I believe strongly that this approach can lend far greater insight than those which seek only to describe and quantify violations of belonging that we may consider either antisemitic or islamophobia.”
As director of CHGS, Labendz has been able to host numerous guest lecturers as part of the Open Classroom Series and hopes to continue to expand the program for students and staff in the future.
CGHS will be hosting a number of events in the coming weeks, including a panel discussion on “Leaving White Nationalism: Personal Stories and Lessons for the Future” today. Visit CHGS’ events schedule for more information.
mkane10@ramapo.edu
Featured photo courtesy of Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies
