Embracing cultural diversity | Mehmet Celebi | TEDxBerlinSalon

Summary

In this poignant speech, the speaker reflects on their family's migration from Turkey to Germany in 1978, highlighting the challenges and cultural identity struggles faced by Turkish immigrants. Drawing from personal experiences and historical context, they emphasize the importance of embracing cultural diversity as a societal strength. The speaker calls for active engagement and dialogue to counter extremism and prejudice, advocating for mosques as community hubs that facilitate integration for refugees. Ultimately, the message is one of hope, urging everyone to take responsibility in creating inclusive environments that celebrate diversity.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Migration has been a longstanding phenomenon, often arising from social, economic, and political challenges.
• 📅 The speaker's family moved from Turkey to Germany in 1978, initially intending for a temporary stay that became permanent due to political unrest in Turkey.
• 💪 Cultural diversity is viewed as an opportunity for enrichment, but it can also lead to fear and misunderstanding.
• 🗣️ Open and honest dialogue about migration and cultural integration is crucial for avoiding alienation and prejudice.
• 🤔 Questions about the compatibility of Islam with democracy and European values highlight the complexities of integration.
• 📖 The first generation of Turkish guest workers in Germany faced challenges in being accepted, leading to a lack of public discourse about their long-term presence.
• 🚨 The rise of extremism has made it imperative to act against prejudice and discrimination in society.
• 🤝 Collaboration between Muslims and non-Muslims in social initiatives can foster understanding and community building.
• 🏛️ Mosques serve as community centers, offering more than just religious services; they provide essential social support for refugees.
• 🌟 Embracing cultural diversity should be a lived reality, not just a theoretical concept; active participation is necessary for creating a harmonious society.

Q & A

What motivated the speaker's parents to move to Germany?

The speaker's parents moved to Germany in 1978 due to the strong demand for labor in Europe, with the intention of helping Turkish immigrants cope with daily challenges.

How did the military coup in Turkey in 1980 affect the speaker's family?

The military coup led to the speaker's father being labeled a political offender, preventing the family from returning to Turkey for 15 years, turning their temporary stay in Germany into a permanent one.

What role did the speaker's parents play in the Turkish community in Germany?

The speaker's parents were socially and politically active, co-founding one of Europe's largest NGOs for Turkish people in Western Europe, helping to address cultural identity and integration issues.

What challenges did the speaker face growing up in Frankfurt?

The speaker experienced alienation and questions about integration, especially when asked at school about the compatibility of Islam with European values and how he navigated his dual cultural identity.

What lessons did the speaker learn from his parents regarding cultural diversity?

The speaker learned that cultural diversity is an opportunity for enrichment and that open communication is vital to prevent alienation and misunderstandings.

How does the speaker relate the past experiences of Turkish migrants to current refugee situations?

The speaker draws parallels between past Turkish migration to Germany and the current refugee crisis, emphasizing the need for dialogue and understanding to integrate newcomers into society.

What was the public perception of Turkish immigrants in Germany during the late 1980s?

In the late 1980s, the public perception was more favorable towards Turkish immigrants, with less prejudice and no significant incidents of racist attacks compared to later years.

What initiative did the speaker and his friends start to support refugees?

The speaker and his friends launched a pilot project to use mosques as social spaces for refugees, fostering collaboration between Muslim and non-Muslim communities to help integrate newcomers.

What is the significance of mosques in the speaker's vision for integration?

Mosques serve not only as places of worship but also as community centers that can facilitate social interaction, education, and support for refugees and local communities.

What is the speaker's call to action for society regarding cultural diversity?

The speaker urges society to actively embrace cultural diversity and work together, advocating for a lived reality where diversity is normalized and appreciated.