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Here you will find blog posts written by us, other recommended reading and what the press writes about us.
Blog posts & news
the difference between equality and equity. Equality, the idea of treating everyone the same, sounds like it would solve everything, right? But as we'll see, real fairness often requires more than just equal treatment.
Everyday phrases that white folks often say without realizing the deeper impact they carry. Addressing these phrases and understanding the reasons behind them is a good step toward being more aware and working toward being anti-racist.
This power showed up in several ways: economically, politically, socially, and even spiritually. Let's take a closer look at how each of these aspects impacted colonies and continues to leave a mark on the world today.
Equality would mean giving both women the same tools and resources as men. But for people who face intersectional oppression, equality alone isn't enough. It doesn't account for the unique, historical barriers that people of color (POCs) have faced, barriers that have limited their access to the same social, economic, and political opportunities.
It's a familiar scene in fundraising ads: a white-led organization asking for donations, or a white influencer posing with children in a global south country, highlighting their "charity" work. What we're seeing is the instrumentalization of children of color to evoke sympathy, often under the guise of "helping." But this kind of exploitation is incredibly harmful to both the children
Although France is no longer a colonial power in the traditional sense, it still has territories overseas, like Martinique and French Polynesia. Revisiting these histories through films, especially fictionalized retellings, allows us to gain empathy for people who lived through these times.
Book recommendations in English
The Kaiser's Holocaust:
Prof. David Olusoga
On 12 May 1883, the German flag was raised on the coast of South-West Africa, modern Namibia - the beginnings of Germany's African Empire.
Stamped From The Beginning:
Ibram X. Kendi
In this deeply researched and fast-moving narrative, Kendi chronicles the entire story of anti-black racist ideas and their staggering power over the course of American history.
White Rage:
CAROL ANDERSON
From the end of the Civil War to our combustible present, an acclaimed historian reframes the conversation about race, chronicling the powerful forces opposed to black progress in America.
Showing Our Colors:
May Ayim, Katharina Oguntoye
Afro-German Women Speak Out is an English translation of the German book Farbe bekennen edited by author May Ayim, Katharina Oguntoye, and Dagmar Schultz.
The Hate U Give
Angie Thomas
This is a highly topical and powerfully eloquent statement against racism!
Africa Is Not A Country
Dipo Faloyin
A bright portrait of modern Africa that pushes back against harmful stereotypes to tell a more comprehensive story.
Book recommendations in German
Black. German. Female.
Kelly, Natasha A (Dr.)
The author questions Eurocentric concepts of knowledge, power and the body from a Black feminist perspective.
Germany Black White
Noah Sow
At school, we learn that all people are equal. At the same time, however, we learn "basic knowledge" that dates back to colonial times
Children of liberation
Marion Kraft
The causes and effects of racism in the past and present are explored and strategies for positive change are identified.
Black roots
Katharina Oguntoye
Katharina Onguntoye sheds light on the living situation of Africans and Afro-Germans in Germany from 1884 to 1950.
Being German and black
Theodor Michael Wonja
The life review of a Black German contemporary witness.
ExitRacism
Tupoka Ogette
Tupoka Ogette's handbook for understanding the origins, structures and effects of racism in Germany.
Recommended documentaries
Stamped from the beginning
Dr. Ibram X. Kendi
In his book, Dr. Ibrahim X. Kendi explains how "whiteness" was invented and why. This documentary visualizes his book and explains European history of the last 500 years.
The death and life of Marsha P. Johnson
David France
Pride Month and Christopher Street Day have become a global holiday. Find out how it all began with trans women of color, like Marsha P. Johnson.
African Queens: Njinga
Ethosheia Hylton, Adesuwa Oni
Find out more about the courageous and legendary female fighters against the European invasion of what is now Congo and Angola, such as Queen Nzinga.
Dahomey
Mati Diop
In November 2021, 26 Cultural Belongings find their way back to present-day Benin. They were snatched from the Kingdom of Dahomey by the French and taken to Paris. The local population has its say.
The empty grave
Cece Mlay & Agnes Lisa Wegner
During the German colonial era, graves of dead people were dug up and looted in Tanzania. The justification for this was "(pseudo-)scientific research to prove the myth of white supremacy. The absence of these skulls can still be felt by the descendants today.
Reclaiming History
Samuel Ishimwe
At first glance, it seems that Germany has nothing to do with the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda. But in his search for the invention of the Hutu and Tutsi racial concept, Samuel ends up in Germany. Here, so-called scientists have turned a way of life into a "race" and thus introduced a hierarchy - with fatal consequences.
Audio guide tours in Berlin
Coming soon...
deSta in the press
Are you interested in writing about us? Do not hesitate to contact us.
THE GUARDIAN
'Hidden in plain sight': the European city tours of slavery and colonialism
Ashifa Kassam
B.Z.
Berlin native Justice Mvemba wants to raise awareness as Miss Germany
Sabine Klier