The Treatment of Africans in Nazi Germany: A Contradictory Reality

Contrary to popular belief, the treatment of Africans in Nazi Germany was multifaceted and often contradictory. This article delves into the complexities surrounding this historical episode, challenging simplistic notions and providing a comprehensive overview of the experiences endured by African individuals during World War II.

Contradictions During WWII

Many remember Hitler and the Nazi regime as broadcasters of hate, but the treatment of Africans was far from uniform. African athletes, such as those performing in the Olympics, were praised by Hitler and even commemorated with photographs. There were also African soldiers in the Wehrmacht, suggesting a degree of inclusivity. However, these instances are often overshadowed by the harsh realities faced by many Africans during the war.

While some Africans managed to find camaraderie and acceptance, the prevailing attitude was one of racial discrimination and prejudice. Many Africans faced severe hardships, including sterilization and persecution. The experiences of individuals like a jazz singer, who faced prolonged interrogation by the Gestapo, serve as a stark reminder of the cruelty and injustice meted out to those deemed different.

Official Policy and Sterilization

Despite some outward displays of acceptance, Nazi Germany systematically targeted certain groups through official policies, such as sterilization. Nazi ideologues considered Africans, along with Jews, Romani, and individuals with certain disabilities, as 'subhumans' (Untermenschen). Towards the end of the 1930s, as Nazi policies became more rigid, these groups were subjected to inhuman practices, including the sterilization of 20,000 Africans, with 400 killed.

One notable victim was a jazz singer who, like Louis Armstrong, had to endure intense interrogation by the Gestapo for nine months. The trauma she experienced was profound, resulting in lasting psychological damage. The singer left the Reich permanently, her trauma never fully healed.

Racial Slurs and Nuremberg Laws

Hitler himself used derogatory terms for African individuals, including using racial slurs akin to the N-word. This was part of a broader campaign of denigration, similar to the theme explored in films like 'Swing Kids.'

After 1933, the Nuremberg Laws were expanded to include all non-Aryans. These laws enforced a regime of racial discrimination, impacting those who were Jewish, Romani, or had dark skin. Blacks, like other non-Aryans, faced severe restrictions, including being prohibited from riding trams or bicycles, and being forced to walk on the streets, rather than sidewalks, especially around Germans.

The regime's hypocrisy is evident in its restrictions on gays and prostitutes, while still considering these groups 'non-normal.' Despite these contradictions, there is no denying the harsh and often brutal treatment meted out to those deemed 'subhuman' by the Nazi regime.

Concluding Thoughts

While it is true that some Africans found a degree of acceptance in Nazi Germany, the overall narrative is one of intense persecution and injustice. The sterilization of thousands, coupled with the public execution of some, paints a grim picture of life under Nazi rule. It is essential to remember these difficult chapters of history to prevent their recurrence and to foster a more inclusive and equitable society.