Commemoration Fires — or why we will be there again and again
For several decades, Germans with migrant heritage and background are brutally murdered by Neo-Nazi terrorists in Germany simply because of who and how they are. Racism in Germany is not only systemic rooted deep, it often is death and murder. And not only in Germany, all around the world.
In the night of November 23, 1992, Bahide Arslan and her two granddaughters Yeliz Arslan and Ayse Yilmaz were brutally murdered by Neo-Nazis throwing firebombs into their home in the little picturesque town Moelln in the middle of the night with the clear intention to murder as many people as possible and cause as much damage as possible. Nine other persons were also severely injured in the racists arson attack. Multiple similar racist attacks followed since then and are still happening today. The two murderers where bragging about their racists terror attack afterwards.
Again, such right-wing terror attacks are happening again until today.
Ibrahim Arslan, then 7 years old, was saved by his grandmother Bahide — who died in the flames - by wrapping him in wet towels; his sister and cousin died simply because his bed was closest to the door and he was the first child his grandmother could grab. As simple and brutal as that.
Again, he simply survived because the bed he was sleeping in was closer to the door than his sister’s or cousins. as simple and brutal as that.
I remember clearly the TV news we followed in shock and horror covering those terrible terror attacks. I imagined our house burning. My family burning. My friends burning. My world burning. My-8 year-old-self burning. I cried when was alone taking out the fantasy fires and flames with my tears. My imaginary burn scars remain.
The burn scars and loss of Ibrahim and his loved ones are real, not imaginary.
Ibrahim, my brother. You are a rock, a hero, a leader. A rock, hero leader with such a brave, strong, kind heart and mind. You never get tired or burnt out to lead the remembrance of the terrible terror attack and fight racism and fascism for a world and togetherness that is kind, mindful, loving.
The following lines I dedicate to your loved ones, to you, and to my aunt and poet Semra Ertan. For that you all burnt for real and are still burning.
I dedicate those lines everyone's fight against fascism and racism. For holding up high a burning torch shining the path to more kindness, compassion, love. Again and again and again.
Ibrahim my brother,
We’re bonded by flames and fires
Above all, bonded by life, love, light
Bertolt Brecht once said:
“To those who do not know that the world is on fire, I have nothing to say.”
I agree, the world is on fire,
Though I have a lot to say to those who do not know.
28 years ago, flames and fires,
Of hatred, ignorance, fear, racism,
Burnt down life, love, light,
of your and the family of many.
38 years ago, flames and fires,
Out of the same motives, in addition
Self-inflamed by anger and resistance,
Burnt down life, love, light,
Of my aunt and poet Semra Ertan.
Whether 28, 38, or 100 years ago,
Whether in 28, 38, or 100 years,
Possible that evil flames and fires will still rage,
We both have a lot to say to those who do not know.
We not only preserve, remember the ashes of our loved ones,
We carry flames and fires in, and on with us,
Not those of the ignorant, who live in darkness,
Who wanted to take life, love, light from us,
Because they will never achieve that.
Whether tomorrow, in 28, 38, or 100 years,
We carry flames and fires in us and on with us,
Which spread and connect life, love, light,
My brother through this we are connected and burn forever.
For anyone who wants to learn more and support Ibrahim, please visit: https://gedenkenmoelln1992.wordpress.com/. It is in German, but you will also find a lot of information simply googling about the subject.
Above all, be kind. Again and again.
