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Bad Schandau – not the first accusations of racism
Photo: Gabriele Hanke / IMAGO
The carnival parade in Bad Schandau has been criticized for blackfacing - these are not the first allegations of racism in connection with the event. »Carnival can exceed the boundaries of good taste. But when, like here, millions of people are degraded using racist stereotypes, the fun stops,” said Left parliamentary group leader Rico Gebhardt. For some participants in the parade, “the desire for inhumane provocation” seems to have predominated for years. “Those responsible on site should finally learn lessons from this.”
According to consistent media reports, four black-painted carnivalists paraded through Bad Schandau last Saturday with a sign that read “The Long Snake from the Savanna.” They wore curly hair wigs and had their lips painted bright red, two women wore clothes that were probably intended to look as if they came from an African country, and one of them was pulling a cart loaded with suitcases.
“Carnival doesn’t step down”
The practice of putting on black make-up, known as “blackfacing”, is criticized as racist due to its history. Especially in the United States, white performers used the getup in minstrel shows of the 18th and 19th centuries to make fun of black people.
»Cheapest racism and displays of misanthropy are simply disgusting. We are witnessing here how the seeds that AfD & Co have sown are coming to fruition," said SPD leader Henning Homann: "I love carnival. It also serves to hold up a mirror to those in power. But Carnival doesn't step down. Apparently some have lost all decency, any remaining shred of respect for other people.
State parliament member Ines Kummer (Greens) said: “The incidents at the carnival parade in Bad Schandau are completely wrong. Blackfacing has nothing to do with legitimate political expression, but is racism. Unfortunately, this is once again a clear violation of boundaries. "The actually beautiful tradition of carnival in our region is being damaged by such actions."
The carnival club in Bad Schandau has not yet responded to a request from the dpa news agency for comment. The moves in the Elbe city had already hit the headlines before. In 2023, a car with the inscription “Asylum Ranch” was in the entourage. Several people dressed as Native Americans were dancing on it. A man in a rainbow suit was tied to a torture stake. A sign read: "Germany decadent and sick, Winnetou is seeking asylum in Saxony."
bbr/dpa