Recently, at an event with the city of Ingelheim (details to follow), I realized once again how much it takes “locals” and “non-locals” to build the society we want for our children.

In my book, I also address the role of “non-natives”. For me, it doesn’t mean giving up today, even if some people “rate” my book too quickly just because of the picture and the title.  Just because I happen to be black doesn’t mean I intend to say anything against non-blacks.

On the contrary. We need each other.

In a conversation with a reader of my book, she said: “Your book makes me feel like I can contribute something every day. The book takes away people’s fear of contact.”

Especially when you, as someone with a migration background or immigration history, have the feeling that you are not accepted, it is worth asking what role do you play? You will be amazed at how far self-responsibility takes you.

And if you, as a local, read this, in the future you will also be allowed to empathetically ask people who feel “discriminated against”, “what role do you play?”

We all need this reminder to get out of the “blame game” so that we can shape our city, our country, our society together.

One of the personalities who has recognized this and I have come to appreciate is Caroline Mwangi. I became curious about her work when she once said, loosely translated, “Stop using these images of innocent children from Africa to raise money.”

Caroline Mwangi and her team have also recognized that there is still a lot of potential that we people with a migration background can do. To this end, they have organized an event where I will talk about “Discovering your role as immigrant in Germany” – in keeping with my book. (See link for details and registration). Thank you very much Caroline and team for this valuable commitment.

It’s time for us to talk to each other and learn from each other.

It is time for us to recognize and fulfill our role.

It’s time for us to give each other a chance and find what unites us.

It’s time for us to stop guessing what others want to say before I really listen to them just because they look “different.”

Because we all contribute to building a society that we would like to leave to our children and grandchildren.

It’s worth not giving up despite headwinds, because you don’t know who you’re giving hope to with your kind.

Now to you:

What role do we people with immigration backgrounds play?
How do we contribute to building bridges instead of walls?