35 years after the turn: GDR history between nostalgia and criticism
35 years after the turn: GDR history between nostalgia and criticism
Around 35 years after the fall of the wall, the SPD parliamentary group organized a panel discussion in Zarrentin to shed light on the political events of autumn 1989. This place is of historical importance because it was near the former border to the GDR. The event attracted numerous interested parties who were interested in the past history and their effects on the present.
In the discussion, SPD politicians such as Margret Seemann, who experienced the turn as a young scientist, presented her perspectives, Gisela Böhrk, the former Minister of Women's Minister in Schleswig-Holstein, and Christine Klingohr, who was then a young mother at the time and was involved in the new forum. These different perspectives illustrate how diverse the memories of the turning point are.The complexity of the GDR
The discussion emphasized the difficulty of portraying the GDR in its entirety. For many, the GDR was not only a repressive system, but also of origin and home country. Historical commemoration is important to tell the many personal stories that included both opportunities and obstacles. The balancing act is to convey the reality of the GDR - from a bourgeois and conservative society to dynamic and visionary aspects.
A participant said that often everyone was in the resistance. Such comments illustrate how emotionally the memories of the GDR are for many people and how difficult it is to take a critical look at the conditions at that time. Gustav Horn, the chairman of the Zarentine youth parliament, emphasized the difference in perception between the older and younger generation. Younger people attach less importance to east-west differentiations.
prejudices and misunderstandings
A student, Sophia Schiebe, described her experiences in West Germany, where she was confronted with prejudices against East Germans for the first time. She reported insults and discrimination that she experienced as a "Ossi". This shows that a dialogue about the past on the West German side is necessary to promote a better understanding and a common identity.
Gisela Böhrk pointed out that there is often little interest in the West to recognize the GDR as part of the common German history. The lack of exchange about the common experiences and the perception of the GDR as a mere source of children's series such as the sandman shows that it is time to seriously reflect the legacy of the GDR.
The central question remains whether the history of the GDR is still relevant and how it is treated in current society. There is concern that the turn is slowly getting into forgotten and the associated topics are no longer discussed. Should the memory of the GDR be not only a footnote in history, but also part of an active examination of the German-German circumstances?
It remains to be clarified which teachings from the past can be drawn for the future and whether it is possible to correct the errors of reunification. The discussion opened up for considerations of equality in wages and fairer staffing of management positions. Perhaps it is time to not only address the examination of the past, but to actively work on the creation of a future together.
Ultimately, Germany has been united for 35 years, and it would be desirable to accept the past without anyone having to be ashamed of it. Regardless of whether someone was active in the FDJ or the new forum, the way to unity has many facets. This requires an open and respectful cooperation that recognizes all experiences and adds a new dialogue.
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