Dragon Horse
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Joined: 07 Feb 2007
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Location: Lookin DC Metro, Feelin Geneva
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 Posted: Sat 03 Oct 2009 14:28 Post subject: Black Poll Threatened in Germany |
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http://www.bookerrising.net/2009/10/zeca-schall-i-feel-threatened-but-not.html
| Quote: | Regular Booker Rising readers should remember Zeca Schall, the member of the center-right Christian Democratic Union who ran for state parliament elections in eastern Germany. The Angolan-born politico was summoned in August to leave Germany by the National Democratic Party of Germany, a racist German nationalist party connected with neo-Nazism. Even though the August 30 election is over, they still threaten his life. Der Tagesspiegel (Germany) interviews Mr. Schall about his background, the role of politics, the NDP's threats, and the fall of the Berlin Wall, which he personally witnessed (article in German). Excerpts:
Mr. Schall, you have a very eventful life story. You emigrated in 1988 from Angola to East Germany and then witnessed the fall of the wall. Why did you leave Angola? At that time the situation in Angola was not easy. It was war, civil war, and it was bad. When I got the offer for a mechanical engineering education in Hildburghausen, I accessed it and have remained.
What made you emigrated to East Germany? Did you have a choice where you want to go? I was in Angola at a higher educational institute for agricultural science and agriculture. I was also working. My company asked me if I wanted a mechanical engineering education in Hildburghausen. My answer was: yes, I am ready. And so I ended up in Hildburghausen. A short time later, I have met a family that has cared for me. Germany was my home.
Not long after you arrived the wall fell. How did you experience this time? I demonstrated with my classmates for freedom. From school or from farms, we went directly to the marketplace and demanded freedom. Actually, everything was all right, but the majority of people wanted freedom. So we fought together for it. And our goal achieved.
The new states [i.e., eastern Germany] especially see many immigrants as dangerous. How do you assess the situation? At the time of the GDR, there was a peaceful coexistence with foreigners. We were about 8,000 Angolans, more than 90,000 Vietnamese, almost 80,000 Cubans, and much more. In the new federal states, there are now only a few foreigners. This is mainly due to the economic situation. The current problems in municipalities are regrettable and very sad. But it also shows that integration is an essential task that must be addressed together. Especially to make sure that people who have known no other country who were born here, are integrated. The immigrants in turn, must accept our democratic principles and our legal system and adapt.
How did you feel when you heard about the NDP threat? It was a huge shock, even for my party the CDU and Germany. The scale was shocking. Many citizens here in Hildburghausen and in Thuringia state, also experienced it. During this time I learned a lot about solidarity - from Germany and worldwide. I am very grateful. It has given me the courage to continue. And I will continue.
In 2004, you became a naturalized citizen. On the same day, you joined the CDU. Why? I had already made the decision much earlier, but I could only act on it upon acquiring citizenship. After my arrival in East Germany, I had met a family that was connected to the CDU. This family has helped in Thuringia state, setting up the first national government. Together with the CDU, we have also established the Cabana, a meeting place for people with immigrant backgrounds and Germans.
You once said you want to be integration commissioner across Germany. What would you do? That's true. I would stand up for education and language skills in kindergartens in order to facilitate the integration of migrants. |
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