Einwanderern in Deutschland

Cartoon drawn by Dorothy Portin

We just completed Module 2 in class, which focused on the topic of "Multicultural Germany-Migration and Transit."  Many of the readings for this module addressed the issue of immigrants within Germany, how they are viewed by "traditional" Germans, and how they themselves view the idea of being German.  I write traditional in quotes because there is this idea of blonde, blue-eyed Germans, heartily drinking beer and having last names like Schneider and Schumacher and the like.  (Personally my last name is Austrian but for the sake of argument, I suppose I fit this traditional image more or less.)

However given that I am so passionate about German football and as a result I follow it with some regularity (depending on my class schedule and how much work I have), I can say with a high degree of certainty that the German football has many other nationalities represented.

Examine the cartoon pictured above that my group created for Module 2.  On the right you clearly see two very typical-looking German men, who are somewhat confused at what they see in the window of a sports apparel store.  You see, the German National team boasts a diverse squad.  There are players from Germany (obviously) and for the last several years there have also been several Polish players.  But currently they also have players of Turkish, Tunisian, and African descent.  This is incredibly different than the great Germans teams of the past.  The sign in the window says that  (the immigrant players) are "all in" and asks the public if they are as well.  And the two German men are confused because they are accustomed to German football stars having German-sounding names and looking like well...Germans.

In short, there is a widely diverse Germany emerging (whether Germans are willing to accept this or not) and this diversity is redefining what it means to be German.

I've pondered the effects of immigrant players in the Budesliga before and I'll save you the full spiel, but I find it interesting that some of success at both the club and national level for Germany is due to the skill that these non-ethnically German players bring to the table, and yet multiculturalism in Germany is still highly contested.

Just something to think about the next time you happen across a Bundesliga game or stumble into a conversation about immigrants in Germany.

Bis bald!

Sarah

The Trials and Tribulations of Being a Fan

For anyone that has followed the German National football team in recent years, you know that it has been a wondrously glorious and terribly frustrating time.  Germany hosted the 2006 World Cup and won third place.  They finished in second place at EURO 2008 but since have failed to add more trophies to the cabinet.

There's a lot of potential but not a lot of solid results.  Today, the team allowed sloppy late goal in their World Cup qualifier against Sweden, resulting in a draw that should have been a win for Germany.  Perhaps part of it is complacency, perhaps part is that the team doesn't know how to seal the deal.  The current coach Joachim Low has stacked the ranks of the national team with young blood from around Germany, many players with immigrant backgrounds are changing the face of the team and the style as well.  With so much youth, perhaps it could be argued that the team doesn't know what it feels like to win a national championship.  But many have scored at the club and youth national team levels so why should they stutter now.

I wish I knew the answer to this question.  I'd appreciate knowing why this team, whom I love so emphatically, always seems to choke when it really really REALLY counts.  I've got the jerseys, I know the players, but I still can't brag that my team is reigning European (or World) Champion.

I was in Munich during the Champions League Final, where Bayern Munich lost to Chelsea in penalty kicks, and there was no doubt in my mind that for many Germans football is a critical element of daily life.  I'm curious to see how the enthusiasm and support of these fans is affected if Germany continues to come up empty on the world stage.

My entries on Tuesdays will focus on German sports (perhaps with a heavy emphasis on football but I promise to try and diversify).  For those of you who know nothing of this realm, I hope that I can share my passion with you and for those of you who know a little something about the Bundesliga, I hope to bring a smile to your face.

Bis bald,

Sarah