How and via which channels do people in Halle-Neustadt communicate? The artist Dr. Anna-Lena Wenzel followed up on her research. As a result of several interviews with the residents of the district who had moved in and away, they were created. At this point we publish an abridged interview with Tony (name changed), who grew up as an Afro-German in Neustadt between socialism, turnaround and baseball thug years.
Anna-Lena Wenzel: How did you experience your arrival in Halle-Neustadt?
Tony: My mother moved here with me and my younger brother in 1972. There were jobs and apartments, it said. I was six. 15 students from my class lived in my block. I still know the first names of her siblings and parents. Such a block was really like a village – only on twelve floors with an elevator. At that time everything was a construction site. We played a lot outside and sometimes made crap.
And what was it like growing up here as an Afro German?
In the tram, the space next to me often remained free, even when it was full. If I sat next to someone, he pulled his pockets closer. It was also annoying when friends had to tell me the latest racist joke. Some older people wanted to be particularly nice and praised my good German, while at the same time they couldn’t resist the curious attack on my hair.
What do you know about your father?
He came from West Africa to study mechanical engineering in the GDR, but was expelled when I was three. After that he lived in Cologne. We only had contact after the fall of the Wall. In 1990 or 1991 I went to Cologne with a colleague – for the first time to the west and for the first time to see my father again. However, there was no real bond.
How did you spend your free time?
I can still remember the disco events in our school meals. For this purpose, the tables were pushed aside with dried leftovers, played East and West music from self-made boxes and illuminated everything with two colorful lamps. The students loved it. As a non-dancer, I preferred to hear the gossip afterwards – about scuffles, first alcohol-related embarrassments or rumors of love.
How did it go for you after school?
I did an apprenticeship in the wagon construction of Ammendorf and started the first S-Bahn at 4:35 a.m. for five years. I found the wagon construction Ammendorf to be a gathering place for weird types: alcoholics, ex-knackis and would-be bigwigs. A ray of hope were the Mozambican guest workers. They were given the most unpopular tasks, but had by far the most positive charisma of all.
How did you experience the turning point?
It was an ambivalent time. While you sucked on his first banana, you got to know the employment office. In addition, our record was one of the first to be demolished and the Nazis became more and more present after reunification. While looking for a job, I came into contact with two North German types. There was a gold rush mood among them, but they also had a vision. We then set up the first large gym in Halle. I didn’t experience arrogance or contempt with the two of them. They were rather impressed by the East German reliability and the family atmosphere in the studio.
You moved away from Halle-Neustadt in 1993. What has changed and how does it feel to be back here?
There used to be two pedestrian bridges over the Magistrale. They fell victim after the turn of the tram. I can remember that as children we often lie on the floor of the bridge, which was heated by the sun, and waited for the Leuna after-work train to spit our mother out of the tunnel station again. As a child, I also rushed down my bridges in summer with roller skates and in winter with sliding shoes completely fearless.
Visually, almost nothing reminds me of my ‘old’ Neustadt. Recently someone posted a photo of facades in the ‘Frohe Zukunft’ district – they are much friendlier today compared to the GDR era. I commented briefly: ‘The facades used to be cold and unfriendly – today it’s the people who live behind them.’ That’s pretty good. What matters to me is that today I’m considered a ‘knife’ just because of my skin color. In the past, racism was not socially acceptable, the AfD made it sayable.
The full length interview:
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All interviews are available online at:
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