West Germany Has No Idea What's Happening in East Germany

Why the Strengthening of the Right Is a Threat to Us All

Fight for democracy, now!

Germany in the year 2024. Attacks on refugees are on the rise again. The German far-right party AfD (Alternative for Germany) is planning massive deportations of Germans with a “migration background,” and right-wing extremists have achieved a central position in society. And while West Germany continues to look only to East Germany, the AfD is on the march across the country. Government agencies, the German armed forces, and our judicial system are also part of the problem. Structures that are meant to support coexistence in our democracy are receptive to far-right ideas or simply look the other way. The author is afraid, and he’s not alone. Now is the time for us to take a stand as a society and in no uncertain terms at that. We must fight for democracy and human rights!

Jakob Springfeld was born in East Germany and didn’t leave. He is committed to tolerance and democracy

The author has received numerous awards for his advocacy