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JB, I heard Berlin is kinda dirty and not that exciting but other parts of Germany are awesome. People had really good things to say about Cologne, Frankfurt, Hamburg and smaller cities. Try to get outside of Berlin if you have a chance. Never been to Germany so can’t tell you from first hand experience though, just heard from friends who’ve traveled or lived there.
As for calling yourself “Black.” considering some of the horrible stuff you say, I have no reason to think you are in any way related to or similar to any Black person I know. And I know a hell of a lot of them.
Jessi, I haven’t been to Berlin (although I’ve been to other German cities, including Munich) but I hear it’s a very vibrant, interesting city. I don’t think it’s weird at all that you would want to go there, especially given your primary motive.
“Here’s a question for you Jews – do you think it’s weird that I’m going to Berlin?”
jessi, I agree with the others. I would have no problem going to Berlin — I almost went in August 1989, before the wall fell, and would’ve had I known that was my last chance to see the divided City! — and plan to eventually.
In my experience, it’s generational. My grandmother was there on her honeymoon in 1925, but after the war they’d never go back. As Denton said, my parents’ and grandparents’ generation would never drive a Mercedes or other German car or any German product if they could help it. My mother, stepfather and grandmother were apoplectic when they had an unscheduled landing in Frankfurt once — they likened it to being rounded up when they were made to stay in one part of the airport!
And, Denton, that’s a funny story. Though I have a very morbid sense of humour.
Kens- I don’t know if Mercedes was on the gates, but it is a documented facts they used Jews for slave labor in their factories during the war. Maybe its a thing I got from my mother, but I feel creeped out by the thought of buying a German car and I refuse to ever own anything with the name Krups on it. I’ve been told its not even the same family but it’s just to creepy to have a kitchen appliance with Krups on it.
Rob, while it is admirable that you would like to be considered black, most black people would not be overly impressed. Yeah, we’re cool, we’re down, have contributed highly to the culture and history of this country, and all that good stuff, but at what price?
Being black in this country, hell, the world, is no bed of roses, especially if you are just ordinary folks, not a celeb, or rich. People from all over the world come here, and the first thing they learn, no matter where they are from, no matter how educated or worldy they are, are negative stereotypes about American blacks and Jews. Being black in this culture is learning how to deal with the past, with slavery and it’s effects on our society, and with the ever present reality that for a lot of people, you will always be inferior, and anything you have achieved was given, not earned. Now most of us have learned to get past that, and go on to take the world on in our own terms, and be successful and productive, but you only have to see some of the crap Obama has to endure to see that racism and suspicion is alive and well.
It’s cool to want to be black, but identifying with the “perks” of blackness without having lived through the legacy of what we have endured to get to this point, is rather insulting. All of the many personal and societal ills we need to address, all of that history, in order that we, as an entire race, not just the lucky individuals who have made it, can stand equal at the playing field, all of our gains and setbacks, the blood and pain, the small and large prejudices, and the pride of survival and intelligence and culture, these are all the things that make us who we are, those things can’t be put on like a jacket.
JB, I heard Berlin is kinda dirty and not that exciting but other parts of Germany are awesome. People had really good things to say about Cologne, Frankfurt, Hamburg and smaller cities. Try to get outside of Berlin if you have a chance. Never been to Germany so can’t tell you from first hand experience though, just heard from friends who’ve traveled or lived there.
jessi, go in October!!!
No rob- it happens to be an in joke. Jeez.
As for calling yourself “Black.” considering some of the horrible stuff you say, I have no reason to think you are in any way related to or similar to any Black person I know. And I know a hell of a lot of them.
MM- beautifully said.
Jessi, I haven’t been to Berlin (although I’ve been to other German cities, including Munich) but I hear it’s a very vibrant, interesting city. I don’t think it’s weird at all that you would want to go there, especially given your primary motive.
M4L, I am referring you to the Wheee! disciplinary council for premature Wheeing!!! today.
“Here’s a question for you Jews – do you think it’s weird that I’m going to Berlin?”
jessi, I agree with the others. I would have no problem going to Berlin — I almost went in August 1989, before the wall fell, and would’ve had I known that was my last chance to see the divided City! — and plan to eventually.
In my experience, it’s generational. My grandmother was there on her honeymoon in 1925, but after the war they’d never go back. As Denton said, my parents’ and grandparents’ generation would never drive a Mercedes or other German car or any German product if they could help it. My mother, stepfather and grandmother were apoplectic when they had an unscheduled landing in Frankfurt once — they likened it to being rounded up when they were made to stay in one part of the airport!
And, Denton, that’s a funny story. Though I have a very morbid sense of humour.
Kens- I don’t know if Mercedes was on the gates, but it is a documented facts they used Jews for slave labor in their factories during the war. Maybe its a thing I got from my mother, but I feel creeped out by the thought of buying a German car and I refuse to ever own anything with the name Krups on it. I’ve been told its not even the same family but it’s just to creepy to have a kitchen appliance with Krups on it.
hipster day trader owes 172 million in back taxes:
http://gothamist.com/2010/08/25/irs_thinks_ex-les_resident_owes_172.php
Rob, while it is admirable that you would like to be considered black, most black people would not be overly impressed. Yeah, we’re cool, we’re down, have contributed highly to the culture and history of this country, and all that good stuff, but at what price?
Being black in this country, hell, the world, is no bed of roses, especially if you are just ordinary folks, not a celeb, or rich. People from all over the world come here, and the first thing they learn, no matter where they are from, no matter how educated or worldy they are, are negative stereotypes about American blacks and Jews. Being black in this culture is learning how to deal with the past, with slavery and it’s effects on our society, and with the ever present reality that for a lot of people, you will always be inferior, and anything you have achieved was given, not earned. Now most of us have learned to get past that, and go on to take the world on in our own terms, and be successful and productive, but you only have to see some of the crap Obama has to endure to see that racism and suspicion is alive and well.
It’s cool to want to be black, but identifying with the “perks” of blackness without having lived through the legacy of what we have endured to get to this point, is rather insulting. All of the many personal and societal ills we need to address, all of that history, in order that we, as an entire race, not just the lucky individuals who have made it, can stand equal at the playing field, all of our gains and setbacks, the blood and pain, the small and large prejudices, and the pride of survival and intelligence and culture, these are all the things that make us who we are, those things can’t be put on like a jacket.