Lesson learned!?

Has Geert Wilders in general not been getting too much attention? And has not already much been said and written about his latest misconduct? Nevertheless, I cannot not react to his outrageous promise to ‘arrange for fewer Moroccans’. The reason is simple: I am German.

I am German. This means that I am officially a foreigner in the Netherlands. Yet I am usually not perceived as one – I am blond, so I do not look foreign and I speak the language so well many people are surprised to learn I am German. But how many so-called Moroccans – who were born in the Netherlands, who have a Dutch passport, who simply ARE Dutch – are considered foreigners? And does not this actually say more about our own perception and expectations than it says about the person in front of you?

I am German. When I first came to the Netherlands I was positively charmed by its tolerance. Whether it was gay marriage, smoking weed or choosing your own death, it always seemed that anything goes. Yet there now appears to be a downside in that you can be too tolerant. It makes me wonder, when does tolerance become indifference?

I am German. As such I am hesitant to make comparisons, but others have already pointed out similarities between Wilders’ speech and nazi Germany. The nazi terror is still a pervasive part of our collective memory. What keeps to intrigue me is that ordinary people were so willing to participate and so few took a stand against it. How could they let this happen?

The lesson for me is that it could still happen today – anywhere, anytime. It is easy to blame Wilders. Do not get me wrong, I am not trying to excuse him either. But much more important is what you are doing yourself. Are you aware of your own prejudices? Are you really open for others or do you simply not care? And are you willing to speak up if necessary?

Johanna Gröne (29, German) studied Health Care, Ethics & Policy at TilburgU and works for a health insurance company.

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