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In eastern Germany, youths embrace nationalism, extremism
Right-wing extremism and racism have spread significantly in the city of Dessau, in the eastern German state of Saxony-Anhalt. This has also become visible as graffiti: swastikas, pro-Hitler images and Nazi slogans are a common sight on the streets.
It's become a trend across cities and regions in Germany — especially in the east. Holger Münch, head of the Federal Criminal Police Office, warned in May that authorities have increasingly seen a "radicalization of very young people with right-wing views," some of whom are organizing to "commit serious crimes."
"In parts of rural eastern Germany, 'Nazi' has become part of pop culture," said Lukas Jocher, who works for Projekt GegenPart, a mobile counseling team that fights right-wing extremism in Dessau. "And it's become cool to write out that song, 'Heil Hitler,' by US rapper Kanye on a wall."
Young people who spoke with DW in Dessau confirmed that to them, being right-wing has somehow become "cool." A 17-year-old boy who was walking with two teenage girls in the city center laughed when asked about right-wing extremism at their school.
"Hitler is glorified big time!" they said, adding that the Hitler salute is now a regular part of their school life and that it seemed normal to sing the slogan "Foreigners out!" at parties. "We just sing along," said the 17-year-old, who didn't give his name, laughing, "It doesn't matter what kind of music is playing."
How did it come to this? Young people rarely become radicalized in a single step — it's a gradual process.
Dessau, with its roughly 75,000 residents, is a regional hub that serves surrounding areas with its shopping centers, hospitals and museums. Cities like this are home to nearly a quarter of the German population. Following a merger with a neighboring town, Dessau is now officially called Dessau-Rosslau.
The reunification of East and West Germany in 1990 brought significant freedoms to the people of Dessau. However, it also went hand in hand with economic collapse, mass unemployment and an........
© Deutsche Welle
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