TV tip
“The color of my skin”: report on racism
The 32-year-old manager Cedric in a scene from the ZDF report “37°: The color of my skin – everyday racism in Germany”. photo
© Julia Weingarten/ZDF/dpa
It shouldn’t matter to others what religion a person belongs to or what skin color they have. A TV report on ZDF shows that this is not the case.
Racism is part of everyday life for many people in this country. This shows how three of them fare Report “The Color of My Skin” about everyday racism in Germany. The film from the series “37 Degrees” can be seen this Tuesday at 10:15 p.m. on ZDF.
Jérome (49) has lived in Germany for over 20 years and works for the Mainz transport company. When he drives his bus through the city, people can get on, see him and get off again. Or that people insult him as they pass by. He tries the balancing act of ignoring all the racist nastiness without provoking others himself.
Cedric (32) grew up in Germany as the son of Cameroonian parents. He is very successful professionally as a manager in Berlin and pays attention to his appearance. He feels comfortable in his company and at home – but on the way to work through downtown Berlin he avoids public and prefers to drive his company car. His social status does not protect him from racism and discrimination.
Jessica (41) leafs through an album with photos that show her as a happy child with her grandparents in the country. The physiotherapist was born and raised in Germany. Then she says that she and her children were insulted with unbelievable words by a four-year-old boy on a playground in Berlin-Pankow. That’s why she and her husband try to instill values such as self-confidence and tolerance in their daughter and son.
Three people, three different lives and yet one thing connects them. Author Silvia Kaiser (“The Dream of Paradise”) accompanied her protagonists in their environment for over two years. It becomes clear in the report that all three struggle in different ways with humiliation, insults and prejudices that make them doubt their identity. It also becomes clear that it is up to society as a whole to change its behavior and not get used to the racism that has become commonplace.
ZDF will show the report “The Color of My Skin” on Tuesday, February 20th at 10:15 p.m., and it will be available in the media library from 8:00 a.m.