Berlin as a city of wall: The wall acted as a symbolic and physical barrier between two clashing ideologies: the communists and the democrats. Berlin Wall is a crucial aspect to German history and identity. The “zipper” analogy in Ghosts of Berlin perfectly describes the role of the Wall on Germany identity. The wall linked the East and West Germans, while still dividing them. Once a monument of shame, transformed into a symbol of pride and nationality when Kennedy announced himself a “Berliner”. What he meant by that was “Berliners were victims of Communist tyranny and virtuous examples of a noble steadfast” (Ladd 30). They were victims, which allowed them to turn the shame of the wall into a symbol of honor. The wall now signifies both German identity unification and division.
Berlin as a global city: In a traditional sense, Berlin is not considered a global city. Berlin’s connections within the global network of world cities fails to live up to the successes and characteristics of world cities such as London, Paris and New York. Berlin still has many economic problems making it not a true global city. This includes low levels of economic growth, and an unemployment rate, which exceeds the national average. Traditionally, Berlin is classified as a ‘Beta +’ global city, which are cities that link moderate economic regions into the world economy. However, in a sense that Berlin has touched millions of lives across the world and has influenced a large amount of areas with its history, it is in fact a global city. The number of experiences and cultural ideologies stemming from Berlin is countless. I saw similarities between Berlin and San Francisco. San Fran isn’t considered a global city and it doesn’t contain as much history or international influence, but it does greatly influence United States economy and national "flavor".
Berlin as a city of the European Union: It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union. It is a hub for economics and political power. Germany is making it's way to be a world power again and it’s located in the heart of the European Union. I am unfortunately limited to my knowledge about Berlin within the EU, but I would imagine that this would increase immigration rates because it is easier to move within the EU. This would, as a result, change the national identity of Berlin to include the new influx of immigrants.
Berlin as a city of immigrants: Throughout reading the three chapters of I was trying to connect all the points back to Germany, so I was grateful when Castles and Miller directly addressed it. The destruction of the Berlin wall, the major symbol of the Cold war, created the first opportunity for emigration and thousands rushed to depart. I can’t image what this exiting must have looked like, or the effects it had on German culture and politics. Overall, migration creates ethnic diversity, racism and multiculturalism, all which influence a country’s national identity. Immigration can cause strong reactions from select groups in the population and can cause insecurities regarding jobs or living arrangements. The most striking part of the reading to me was Germany’s relationship with racism. Noted in chapter two, Germany is very reluctant to even speak of racism. They use euphemisms like “hostility to foreigners” and “xenophobia”. In NPR’s piece about what it takes to be a German, The daughter of Ghanaian parents, "Otoo is angered that German society labels her and the estimated half-million Afro-Germans as foreigners — or treats them as nonexistent.” This was very disconcerting to me because the way that Otoo talked about German racism reminded me of American racism pre-MLK and the civil rights movement. I wonder if Germany’s negative attitudes towards foreigners will be apparent when studying abroad or if it is more a passive, non apparent movement.
Since America was expanded by a huge flood of immigration, our national identity is more of a “melting pot”. Cultures mix and melt together, making “American identity” very fluid. Germany, on the other hand seems to be more grounded in history and is more of a “salad bowl” where cultures stay separated and unique, not mixing together. This is an interesting contrast that I would like to analyze first hand.
"Berlin: Towards a Global City?" Web. 17 Apr. 2015. <http://usj.sagepub.com/content/38/10/1777.refs>.
Lgyib, Imtiyaz. "Berlin as a Global City." Web. 17 Apr. 2015.
Berlin as a global city: In a traditional sense, Berlin is not considered a global city. Berlin’s connections within the global network of world cities fails to live up to the successes and characteristics of world cities such as London, Paris and New York. Berlin still has many economic problems making it not a true global city. This includes low levels of economic growth, and an unemployment rate, which exceeds the national average. Traditionally, Berlin is classified as a ‘Beta +’ global city, which are cities that link moderate economic regions into the world economy. However, in a sense that Berlin has touched millions of lives across the world and has influenced a large amount of areas with its history, it is in fact a global city. The number of experiences and cultural ideologies stemming from Berlin is countless. I saw similarities between Berlin and San Francisco. San Fran isn’t considered a global city and it doesn’t contain as much history or international influence, but it does greatly influence United States economy and national "flavor".
Berlin as a city of the European Union: It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union. It is a hub for economics and political power. Germany is making it's way to be a world power again and it’s located in the heart of the European Union. I am unfortunately limited to my knowledge about Berlin within the EU, but I would imagine that this would increase immigration rates because it is easier to move within the EU. This would, as a result, change the national identity of Berlin to include the new influx of immigrants.
Berlin as a city of immigrants: Throughout reading the three chapters of I was trying to connect all the points back to Germany, so I was grateful when Castles and Miller directly addressed it. The destruction of the Berlin wall, the major symbol of the Cold war, created the first opportunity for emigration and thousands rushed to depart. I can’t image what this exiting must have looked like, or the effects it had on German culture and politics. Overall, migration creates ethnic diversity, racism and multiculturalism, all which influence a country’s national identity. Immigration can cause strong reactions from select groups in the population and can cause insecurities regarding jobs or living arrangements. The most striking part of the reading to me was Germany’s relationship with racism. Noted in chapter two, Germany is very reluctant to even speak of racism. They use euphemisms like “hostility to foreigners” and “xenophobia”. In NPR’s piece about what it takes to be a German, The daughter of Ghanaian parents, "Otoo is angered that German society labels her and the estimated half-million Afro-Germans as foreigners — or treats them as nonexistent.” This was very disconcerting to me because the way that Otoo talked about German racism reminded me of American racism pre-MLK and the civil rights movement. I wonder if Germany’s negative attitudes towards foreigners will be apparent when studying abroad or if it is more a passive, non apparent movement.
Since America was expanded by a huge flood of immigration, our national identity is more of a “melting pot”. Cultures mix and melt together, making “American identity” very fluid. Germany, on the other hand seems to be more grounded in history and is more of a “salad bowl” where cultures stay separated and unique, not mixing together. This is an interesting contrast that I would like to analyze first hand.
"Berlin: Towards a Global City?" Web. 17 Apr. 2015. <http://usj.sagepub.com/content/38/10/1777.refs>.
Lgyib, Imtiyaz. "Berlin as a Global City." Web. 17 Apr. 2015.