The rejection of a musician by Fridays For Future (FFF) has led to a sometimes heated debate on social networks about cultural appropriation, dreadlocks and criticism of the climate protection movement.
The local group in Hanover had uninvited Ronja Maltzahn and her band for a climate strike planned for this Friday with reference to Maltzahn's dreadlocks.
One wanted to "rely on an anti-colonialist and anti-racist narrative", so it was "unacceptable to have a white person with dreadlocks on our stage," said the rejection of the artist.
White people with dreadlocks would "appropriate a part of another culture without experiencing the systematic oppression behind it." If Maltzahn cuts off her dreadlocks, she can appear, it said.
Maltzahn then shared a screenshot of the cancellation on Instagram, where it quickly spread and was picked up by “Bild”, among others.
In the comments, the climate protectors' decision met with a lot of incomprehension, and some of the young climate protectors themselves were accused of racism.
In particular, the ultimatum given to the artist that she could cut her hair by Friday was met with criticism.
Fridays For Future Hannover then apologized in a statement on its website for the "cross-border" wording in the rejection of Maltzahn.
"It was an invasion of the artist's privacy that should not have happened," the activists wrote.
However, the climate protectors stuck to their decision not to let the artist perform.
The local group is also supported by the nationwide BIPoC-For-Future group.
BIPoC stands for Black, Indigenous and People of Color.
The message to Maltzahn was worded unfavorably, said a representative of the FAZ. "It was disrespectful to offer to cut her hair." In terms of content, however, the Hanover group's decision was supported.
“Dreadlocks are a symbol of Black people's resistance to oppression by the white mainstream society.
When white people get dreadlocks, this aspect is lost.” In the current debate, he therefore wishes that people of color would be listened to.
“Our culture was erased by colonialism anyway.
Then when white people just adopt the traits they like, it's hurtful."
Joint exchange planned
Maltzahn himself was open to a conversation.
"I have no intention of discriminating against anyone with my hairstyle," she told the FAZ on Thursday. She was happy to accept the climate protectionists' invitation to discuss cultural appropriation.
"I'm very interested in dealing with the topic of cultural appropriation." The media rush completely amazed her and her band.
The folk-pop group, which is made up of people from different nationalities, aims to bring cultural diversity to the stage.
She therefore had the impression that the band as a whole had not been dealt with at all.
With her post, she didn't want to badmouth Fridays For Future, but wanted to bring the topic up on the table - "in a respectful way".
With a view to the comments on social networks, some of which also contain right-wing ideas, Maltzahn advocates de-escalation: "I believe that we as a society will benefit if we enter into dialogue."