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Just another brick in the wall…

August 14th, 2007 · 1 Comment

The facts about the wall and the impact it had on Berliners (all Germans actually) is well documented - as an outsider looking in it shocked me when me, my wife and our two twin girls first arrived nearly a year ago. Moving into Prenzlauerberg in the former East, I was surprised to see people living in the shadows of the past as if the wall was still standing. I knew Germany was not really ‘unified’ as my wife had always spoken about the difference in cultures and outlook between the two tribes, however the degree of angst that still exists between people is evident. I find it quite awkward when people form the West or East try and win you over to their side in a discussion setting and I often nod in agreement at whatever people say. The wall is still here in Berlin and I think it’s one of the many things that make this city such a fascinating place.

Wall info:

Categories: Brit In Berlin · Personal

1 response so far ↓

  • 1 tfrank // Aug 15, 2007 at 4:50 am

    I personally don’t have the impression that the barrier and the differences between eastern and western still have the form of the wall.

    Yes, there are differences - like between people from South and North or countryside and city - or between you and me.

    And yes, there are social, cultural and economic differences between Leipzig and München or Brandenburg and Baden-Württemberg or Nordrhein-Westfalen and Bavaria.

    17 years after the fall of the wall, people that are putting a lot of emphasis on “I’m from the East” or “I’m from the West” use this argument mainly as an excuse or a pretext for blaming others. Or simply expressing “I’m different” and therefore “You are not like me - you don’t know what I’m talking about”.

    And no, I’m not an old hippie saying “peace, love and happiness for all - we are all equal” - nor am I a prayer of the Lord and Jesus and “we all love each other” .
    People are not equal, but individuals - and I don’t love all people - only some - halleluja.

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