In this article I have the pleasure to interview and discuss with a dear friend of mine. I don't with any means intend to "use" this trending moment just to catch some views and my interest, though certainly increased and awaken by the recent protests, is genuine in its core.

Similarly I don't feel entitled in taking the space this little community has given us for myself. I am a privileged white male whose voice is not nearly as effective and relevant as those of all the people that suffer, go through and need to deal with racism in many cases since they were born.

This interview is completely anonymous in order to guarantee maximal protection to my friend. B. accepted to share not only her perspective as a person of colour in a white society but also her personal experience.

I would like to thank her immensely: firstly for sharing such an intimate part of her identity and secondly for the sincere and meaningful words she wrote and the effort she put into helping me and everybody who reads in the path of education towards the demolition of institutional, social and most importantly interiorized racism.

Again, B., thank you!

What is racism? Is it just genuine hate? Is it enough to say I am not racist?

In the most basic sense of the word racism means discrimination against a person on the basis of race. Of course many Europeans would certainly agree – if asked directly – that there are no different human races, only one. And still this old concept, that was invented by European men to justify their cruelty and exploitation of other continents, still has its grip on the structures and societies we live in. Racism ranges from pure deep felt hate and the conviction that Black people and People of Colour (BPoC; pl.: BPoCs) are biologically inferior to the little remark about another persons natural ability to play basketball etc. Obviously as so many people have stated and we can read on many of the protest signs worldwide: white silence encourages the violence, it has never been enough not to be racist we all have to be actively anti-racist .

Can you explain the concept of white fragility?

Among other things it states the fact that in the eyes of the (white) majority it is worse to be called racist or be made aware of a racist action than the racist act itself. Which means that people affected by racism are forced to not only endure it, but also have to consider the feelings and emotions of the perpetrators if they wish to bring awareness to the fact that they themselves have just now been racialy abused.

Of course the UK, the USA those countries had a major role in racial discrimination. It is horrible what happens there, we are lucky to live here. What do you think about it?

Well, I´m German, so I will speak to matters in my country first. It is not enough to say: „but we don´t kill you in your thousands in bright daylight on the streets, therefore we don´t have a problem“. Germany for one - and I will say every nation that has participated in the cruelty of colonisation - was built on racism, exploitation and inequality. And I don´t know of any country that truly, honestly and brutally has dealt with their past, has made the effort to right the wrongs of history and has brought real equality to all its citizens. If that doesn´t happen, our work as a society is not yet finished. The readers will have to reflect for themselves, whether or not this has happened in their community, city, district or nation.

Have you ever experienced some sort of discrimination connected with your appearance and the color of your skin?

When people ask me this question I´m always tempted to answer: „well obviously!“ Some context for your readers: I´m a brown-skinned woman in her twenties. I was born to a mixed couple in Germany and have lived here my entire life.

Racism and racist structures, ideas and behaviors have influenced and shaped my life in more ways than I can count. There are so many things – white fragility and white ignorance being two major ones – that one has to take into account or consider in every step one takes in society, from the way we speak to the way we dress to the way we style our hair. Everything is under constant scrutiny. To your question: yes.

I will share one short story with your readers. My first recollection of racism is from the time I attended primary school. I was maybe seven or eight years old and the other children in my class were making fun of me, pointing fingers at me and chanting that I looked like sh*t. That was the day I learned that somehow I was different. But should I be, if there are no races, but the one human race?

How important Is the concept of empathy in the BLM protest and fight for equality in the society?

In my opinion empathy should be the basis of every human interaction. No matter whether you are tall or short, thick or thin, light or dark, rich or poor, queer or straight, have a disability or not in the end, the bottom line is: we are humans. We are not selfish, we fight for equality for all people, since comprise of all the above. We ask not to be treated better or advantageous we want to matter. We want our problems to be accepted as such. We want our pain to be felt as such. We want our mental health to be treated as such. We want our joy to be shared as such. We want our children to be free, healthy, unharmed and have equal opportunities. We want to matter.

I don´t see how any decent human being cannot agree with us in solidarity.

Why do you think people are so often dehumanised?

This comes back to the unresolved issue of colonisation and the ideologies that it comprises. (And in some countries also slavery, obviously)

Western countries have never fully dealt with their colonial past. It was only amended where some few aspects where no longer „up to date“ or „fashionable“, but they never dug deep enough to get it with the root. Thats why it is still very alive today. It hides behind stereotypes, racial profiling, what-aboutism, convenience, indifference and a lot of ignorance. Thats why many people don´t see or don´t want to see in how many ways they dehumanise, sexualise, objectify and utilise us, whenever it pleases them. Without any regard for the consequences.

Should white people talk about the fight or should they listen and learn themselves?

To white people: If you encounter acts of racism speak up! Don´t let us bear the shame of being abused and watch in silence. Many times it is the silence of the bistanders that hurts most. If you speak with a BPoC on the topic of race, listen, learn, appreciate the advice or whatever they want to tell you. Don´t push, don´t argue, don´t think you have any right to comment on their experience, identity, past, present, future or opinion. Don´t you dare to push them to re-live the trauma they have gone through just because you think you need prove, or because you are to arrogant/proud/ „above it all“ to belive your fellow human being, if they should choose to honor you by sharing their experience. Cherish it!

Whether you know BPoCs or not, educate YOURSELF, google, read books, listen to TedTalks or other Informational Videos by BPoCs on Youtube, follow activists on Instagram and facebook, find your nearest anti-discrimination/anti-racism-organisation and ask for advice. Don´t expect us to educate you on your own history or misbehavior. The knowledge of the world is at your disposal. Use it.

What are your thoughts on cultural appropriation? When is it legitimate for people that are not part of a certain culture to adapt their habits in food fashion and lifestyle?

If you don´t love the people you don´t get to love the culture! If you love hip-hop, soul and reggae and you still think it´s ok for you (as a white person) to use the N-word or disregard us in any other way, you´re a hypocrite.

Don´t you dare to take our culture and then throw us away like trash. That’s basically colonialism in a nutshell.

And still there is a difference between appropriation and appreciation.

If you are truly anti-racist, or honestly working to get there, please be my guest. As I´ve said we are not selfish. Share in our joy, share in our food, share in our fashion, in our love of sports and music. But keep in mind: You can´t have it both ways! If you share our highs you better be standing right by our side through the lows!