Why was it right to cancel the exhibition?

Statements of support...

"As a retired Sergeant Major who served in the United States Army for 28 years, 23 of which were in foreign countries, including 20 in Germany, I stand in support of Philippa Ebéné's decision to rescind her support for this exhibit. In fact, I as I 'm certain would my fellow soldiers who served either in the Second World War or as a member of the US Occupational forces commend her for her courage. We hope that her superiors will recognize her as a woman of principal and at some point resurrect this effort with appropriate dignity. Additionally, I applaud the efforts of the community of persons of color in Germany for their support of Ms.Ebéné. "

Sincerely,

Sergeant Major Milton Johnson, US ARMY RET.

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This summer I spent three months in Germany, six weeks of which was as a student in Berlin. As part of my coursework for my class, "Berlin After the War," I visited several museums and exhibits that included representations of the US Troops and Allied Occupational Forces in Germany during and after World War II. Having grown up as a Black German adoptee in an African American military family I frequently heard stories from my father and his friends about their tours in Germany during the war and the occupation period. I was deeply saddened to note that in the museums and exhibitions I visited in Germany nowhere did I find any evidence of Black soldiers’ presence or service. While I am extremely disappointed at the cancellation of the exhibition, I agree with Philippa Ebéné's decision. People of Color who fought against the Nazi regime and therefore played a crucial role in breaking the regime , are heroes and deserve to be recognized as such. The manner in which this exhibit would have proceeded would have been disrespectful. As much as I would have loved to have seen Germany acknowledge them, I would not have appreciated having their contributions degraded. I am grateful to Phillippa Ebéné for insisting on an appropriate tribute.

Rosemarie Peña, President
Black German Cultural Society, Inc.
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The full story
(Courtesy of der braune mob e.V. - German language)

Our press release

Please email Inspired Comm-unity your supporting statements. Thank you!

Absage der Ausstellung "Die Dritte Welt im Zweiten Weltkrieg": Mutig, Richtig und Wichtig!

(English version follows German version)


Die Inspired Comm-Unity begrüßt die Entscheidung der Geschäftsführerin der Werkstatt der Kulturen die Ausstellung "Die Dritte Welt im Zweiten Weltkrieg" abzusagen.

Inspired Comm-Unity ist ein 2008 gegründetes Netzwerk Schwarzer Menschen in Berlin. Ziel des Netzwerkes ist es, die selbstbestimmte Repräsentation Schwarzer deutscher Geschichte und Gegenwart in Deutschland zu fördern, Rassismus entgegen zu wirken und damit die Gemeinschaft Schwarzer Menschen bundesweit zu stärken. Neben der Durchführung des jährlich stattfindenden Black History Month in Berlin, unterstützt Inspired Comm-Unity kreative, innovative und zeitgenössische Beiträge Schwarzer Menschen in Deutschland.

Wir beobachten mit wachsender Sorge die öffentliche Diskussion über die Absage der Ausstellung und dabei besonders die diffamierenden Aussagen über Philippa Ebéné und ihre vermeintliche Motivation.

Fakt ist: Die Austellung porträtiert in problematischerweise die Beiträge Schwarzer Menschen in der Diaspora während des Zweiten Weltkrieges. Allein aufgrund des Titels, könnte der Eindruck gewonnen werden, alle Schwarzen Menschen gehören zu der sogenannten "Dritten Welt".

Wir bedauern, dass es im Jahre 2009 offensichtlich immer noch nicht möglich ist, die Beiträge Schwarzer Menschen während des Zweiten Weltkrieges in würdiger Weise zu gedenken: Ein einfaches aber klares "Danke Schön" ist längst überfällig.

Der Werkstatt der Kulturen wird vorgeworfen, sie betreibe mit der Absage der Ausstellung Zensur. Tatsächlich ist es so, dass Philippa Ebéné zensiert wird. Wir finden das unfassbar und beschämend!

Diese Ausstellung ist von erheblicher Bedeutung für viele Menschen in Deutschland, nicht zuletzt für die, die sich persönlich damit identifizieren können, nämlich Menschen die gekämpft haben und deren Verwandte, sowie Schulkinder mit verschiedenen ethnischen Backgrounds. Gerade in diesem Kontext die negativen Beiträge hervorzuheben ist unangemessen, geschmacklos und zeugt von großer Respektlosigkeit. Eine solches "...ja aber, die waren auch böse"-Statement wäre genauso unpassend in anderen Gedenk-Situationen. Solche Episoden wie die des "Mufti von Jerusalem" müssen natürlich auch behandelt werden, nur in einem dafür angemessenen Kontext.

Die Entscheidung von Philippa Ebéné die Ausstellung nicht zu unterstützen ist längst keine Zensur, sondern eine klare Meinungsäußerung bezüglich der Notwendigkeit die Auswirkungen und Intentionen von Kulturveranstaltungen in einer multikulturellen Stadt wie Berlin gut zu überprüfen.

Inspired Comm-Unity steht voll und ganz hinter der Entscheidung von Philippa Ebéné und findet diese Mutig, Richtig und Wichtig!




English Version

Cancellation of the Exhibition "Die Dritte Welt im Zweiten Weltkrieg" (The Third World in the Second World War): Brave, Correct and Important!

Inspired Comm-Unity welcomes the decision of the head of the Werkstatt der Kulturen to cancel the exhibition "Die Dritte Welt im Zweiten Weltkrieg".

Inspired Comm-Unity is a network of Black people in Berlin, formed in 2008. The aim of this network is to promote the self-determined representation of Black people in Germany, in historical as well as in present day contexts. We also combat racism while at the same time strengthen the network of Black people across the whole country. Alongside the co-ordination of the annual Black History Month in Berlin, Inspired Comm-Unity supports creative, innovative and contemporary contributions of Black people in Germany.

We have been observing the public discussion about the cancellation of the exhibition with increasing concern. We particularly object to the defamatory statements about Philippa Ebéné and her alleged motivations.

Fact is: The exhibition portrays the contributions of Black people in the Diaspora during the World War Two in a problematic way. The impression could be gained from the title alone that all Black people belong to the so-called "Third World".

We deeply regret, that even in the year 2009 it is obviously still not possible to commemorate the contributions of Black people during World War Two in a dignified and appropriate way. A simple but unequivocal "Thank You" is long overdue.

The Werkstatt der Kulturen has been accused of censorship. In actual fact, it is Philippa Ebéné who has been censored. We find this unbelievable and shameful!

This exhibition is of great importance for many people in Germany, not least for those who can identify with it personally: people who fought in World War Two and their relatives, as well as school children of various ethnicities. To stress the negative contributions in this context is inappropriate, crude and is distinguished by a large dose of disrespect. A similar "...yes, but they were also bad" statement would be just as inappropriate in other commemorative situations. Episodes like that of the so-called "Mufti of Jerusalem" should of course also be focussed on, however the context must be fitting.

The decision of Philippa Ebéné to not support the exhibition is a long way from censorship. It is in fact a clear statement of opinion about the importance of thoroughly assessing the effects and intentions of cultural events in a multi-cultural city like Berlin.

Inspired Comm-Unity fully supports the decision taken by Philippa Ebéné and considers it to be brave, correct and important!