World War II had significant negative consequences for the development of intercultural relations in Germany. The number of immigrants in the country decreased. However, the country remained to be culturally diverse, and different cultural groups tried to develop under problematic circumstances. It was important for these groups to find their place in the country where the majority and minority had no trust in each other because of the impact of historical events (Schneider 2014).
In this context, the question to answer today is the following one: Did the public’s attitude to immigration and a culturally diverse population in Berlin change over the years? Even though currently, immigration is discussed as a controversial issue for Germany, it is necessary to note that the public became more tolerant of representatives of different cultural backgrounds living in the country because Berlin attracts thousands of immigrants, pluralism is supported at the governmental level, and diversity is supported as the social priority.
Nowadays, the Germans can be regarded as more tolerant of culturally diverse people than it was years ago. Berlin is discussed as the European center of art, culture, and development, and it is an attractive place for many young people who come to the city to develop their potential (Schneider 2014). As a result, Berlin attracts thousands of students and culturally diverse young professionals annually, and these people have a chance to find a better life in this developed country that is open to innovations and progress.
Many diasporas that represent different nations and cultures can be observed in Germany, including Jews, Turks, and Chinese among others (Schneider 2014). However, the modern approach of the German public to perceiving culturally diverse people can be explained regarding the analysis of the country’s past. In the past, Berlin was not a safe place for representatives of certain cultures and religions, but today, the leaders of this city foster the diversity to support the status of the multicultural metropolis.
Nevertheless, decades ago, immigration in Germany and the development of relations with minorities were regarded as critical issues because of the necessity to stabilize the situation after World War II. In their essay, Senocak and Tulay (2000) discuss the problem of cultural diversity in Germany regarding the experience of Turks. According to the authors, the 1990s were the period of developing tolerance in Germans toward different nations, cultures, and religious groups (Senocak and Tulay 2000, 6).
Furthermore, it was a period of reconsidering the lessons of the extensive labor immigration typical of the country, as well as the period of focusing on the cultural integration of different groups living in Germany. In this context, much attention should be paid to the experience of Muslims in this country. In their work, Senocak and Tulay (2000) state: “Islam doesn’t force itself on anyone” (8).
It seems that these words were perceived by the public positively, and today, the Germans are discussed among the most tolerant nations in Europe. It is possible to state that not only Turks but also other Muslims can find their home in Berlin today, and this aspect demonstrates the difference in approaches to cultural diversity used then and now.
While focusing on the experience of Muslims in Germany, it is almost impossible to ignore the experience of Jews as the important religious and cultural group in this country. Nowadays, Jews represent the large diasporic culture in Germany, and as it is noted by Shemoelof (2016), “it is one’s consciousness, not one’s origin” (par. 7).
Despite the history of repressions against the Jews in Germany, today, thousands of Jewish people can feel comfortable in Berlin because this metropolis is open to culturally diverse people and immigrants from all over the globe (Schneider 2014). Therefore, it is possible to state that today, the background is not regarded as a barrier to the development in this country.
Berlin is often viewed as the city that is attractive to cosmopolitans. As a result, the representatives of the Chinese, American, and other origins also feel supported in this country. The priority of the modern social and political courses in Germany is the provision of the necessary support for different categories of the population (Schneider 2014).
Therefore, representatives of many cultures can notice how the attitude to their needs and interests in Germany changed over the years. It is also important to accentuate the idea that Berlin is a city where young people can find their home. While discussing the issue from the perspective of a young person who seeks opportunities for personal and professional development, one can state that the city is characterized by dynamism, and migrant cultures are provided with many resources to support the youth (Schneider 2014).
As a consequence, students and young persons from all over the globe choose Berlin as the place where they can live and study without being discriminated against. Many years ago, young people belonging to minority groups had limited chances to receive a good education and become recognized as professionals. However, the situation is different nowadays because the public’s vision of the problem of diversity has changed significantly.
The researchers speak about pluralism that is typical of the modern nation’s approach to discussing cultures in contrast to the position of focusing on the unique culture that was characteristic of the Germans decades ago. Before World War II, pluralism concerning the question of culture was prohibited, and after the war, it was a difficult task for Germany to reconsider the principle of pluralism to support all representatives of the nation (Schneider 2014). Also, it was a challenging task to accept the mistakes made during the pre-war and war periods.
According to Senocak (2000), “there must be something else on these paths other than mute monuments and ceremonious speeches held in a solemn voice” (61). Thus, more efforts should be made to address the problem. Still, it is possible to note that the government of Germany has overcome the cultural and social conflicts effectively while making cultural diversity the characteristic feature of Berlin.
From this perspective, the public’s attitude to immigration and a culturally diverse population in Berlin changed significantly, and these results can be observed while comparing the public perceptions of this issue in the past and present. Today, Germans are more tolerant than they were decades ago, and the diversity of the population that is a natural consequence of the country’s development is perceived as a positive phenomenon. Thus, such a favorable trend can contribute to the further progress of the country significantly, and more young people can find opportunities for their personal and professional development in Berlin.
Reference List
Schneider, Peter. 2014. Berlin Now: The City after the Wall. New York: Macmillan.
Senocak, Zafer. 2000. “Thoughts on May 8, 1995.” In Atlas of a Tropical Germany: Essays on Politics and Culture, edited by Leslie Adelson, 58-61. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press.
Senocak, Zafer, and Bulent Tulay. 2000. “Germany – Home for Turks? A Plea for Overcoming the Crisis between Orient and Occident.” In Atlas of a Tropical Germany: Essays on Politics and Culture, edited by Leslie Adelson, 1-9. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press.
Shemoelof, Mati. 2016. “The Diaspora Is an Integral Part of Hebrew Literature.” Web.