How carefree can we still wave the black-red-gold colors when the AfD is increasingly instrumentalizing the national flag politically? An interview in "Stern" magazine with psychologist Stephan Grünewald.
The interview appeared in stern on June 21, 2018.
Mr. Grünewald, now the soccer nation is waving its flags again. At the same time, the AfD is trying to instrumentalize black-red-gold for its own purposes. What is the Germans' relationship to their flag?
The relationship to the flag is ambivalent. Germans do not have a firmly anchored self-image like the British, French or Americans. Germans are always searching for themselves. Until the 2006 World Cup, we had a very distanced relationship with black, red and gold; in left-wing intellectual circles in particular, it was frowned upon to openly declare one's allegiance to Germany, to wave the flag. Sometimes it was even considered chic to stick to Holland. Innocent substitute symbols were sought: the deutschmark, German cars, even the national team, these were identity urogates to which one could profess one's allegiance.
Then came the World Cup 2006, the summer fairy tale...
Yes, since it turned: Until then, the fear of falling back into dumb nationalism dominated. The liberating experience in 2006 was: we were wonderful hosts, but also enthusiastic fans, with hoisted flags and black-red-gold war paint, but without losing our amiability. We were celebrated in the world as charming hosts.
Was that a liberation?
The sword of Damocles, that German passion, that patriotic feelings always lead to aberrations, was taken from us from then on. The World Cup was a relaxation exercise. Since then, we have experienced a carefree approach to black-red-gold.
But for some time now, the national flag has also been heavily used by Pegida and the AfD. Most recently at a large demonstration in Berlin.
For some, the lightheartedness of 2006 has turned into complete ingenuousness. Black-red-gold has become a symbol of domination. A national space is claimed that belongs to us. Through this politicization, a different gravity now enters. Politicization now leads to polarization.
What do you mean by that?
For some, black-red-gold is the sign: We are the people - and this is our flag. The flag is almost becoming a must. Those are also the ones who pay attention to whether Özil sings along with the anthem.
And the others?
For others, black, red and gold is once again taking on a nationalistic connotation that they want to distance themselves from, even though they have actually enjoyed waving the flag over the past ten years. For some, there is a tendency to "desert the flag": we prefer to leave the flag in the cellar so as not to stir up nationalist feelings. Some are afraid of getting caught up in the AfD's meaning.
The AfD certainly gives cause for this. "Courage for Germany" is emblazoned on the posters - and behind it is a huge flag in black, red and gold.
Every party needs its symbols. But it is not possible to unite opposing currents behind the same symbols. We are feeling these tensions right now. The summer of 2018 will be less carefree than the summer of 2006.
The interview was conducted by Lorenz Wolf-Doettinchem.
Cologne-based psychologist Stephan Grünewald is the founder of the market and media research institute rheingold. Grünewald became a bestselling author with his books "Deutschland auf der Couch" (2006) and "Die erschöpfte Gesellschaft" (2013) as well as "Wie tickt Deutschland" (2019).
Phone: +49 221-466 828 0
E-mail: gruenewald@rheingold-online.de
