She, the publicist Ferda Ataman, is controversial, and her election as anti-discrimination officer is even more controversial. Given the task, there is no ideal candidate. The opposites to be united are too great for that.
Left versus Right, Religious versus Secular, Russians versus Ukrainians and Poles, Turks versus Kurds. Then anti-Semitism, antiziganism, everything anti should be turned into a social pro. If you are quiet or anxious, you have already lost.
A culture war has actually developed around Ataman. Many rights demand that the Green candidate must be prevented; and in the traffic light not everyone is for her either. But ataman may have held up a mirror to the “potatoes”, the white Germans – a majority will vote for them. Just because it’s not quiet. Not afraid at all.
Ataman’s supporters include former Union Chancellor candidate Armin Laschet. His speechwriter was the left when he was the (first) integration minister of the republic, back then in North Rhine-Westphalia. Your topic is also simply outstandingly important across borders and across parties.
It’s about almost everything: about LGBTQI, the requirement not only to accept people as they are and see themselves in all their differences, but also to ensure their social acceptance.
And it is about dealing with the consequences of people migrating, still, again and again, whether they have been in the country for a long time or have hardly arrived. Especially because more than 100 million people are fleeing the world and the refugee crisis in 2015 showed what challenges society can face very quickly.
The integration of people from other cultures is still a major task. Hardly any other topic sparks more emotional discussions about safety and ethical aspects or cultural issues. People either show solidarity with migrants or feel fear, prejudice, even hatred.
Anyone who fights discrimination and wants to promote integration must not only be strong in handing things out, but also have to be tough. Ferda Ataman will have the opportunity to prove herself.
