Regulars' table slogans in sight: Rosenheim workshop for tolerance!

Regulars' table slogans in sight: Rosenheim workshop for tolerance!

In a remarkable step to combat prejudice and discrimination, a regulars' table slogan training took place at the Rosenheim educational center. Led by Sofie Engl, an experienced social worker and mediator, 16 participants took part in this workshop to learn effective strategies for responding to hurtful sayings. The aim was to give those present tools to specifically question regulars' table slogans and deal with them in a differentiated way, because as Engl emphasizes: "Silence means consent".

The participants brought in personal experiences, such as the widespread slogan “The asylum seekers get everything.” Engl warned that prejudice can quickly turn into discrimination. The phenomenon of labeling was made tangible through targeted exercises in which participants discussed their own characteristics in groups. A memorable element of the workshop was the use of a surprised “oh lala” as a sign of objection to inappropriate statements.

Strategies for dealing with discrimination

Participants learned that it is not just about confronting slogans, but also about understanding where these statements might come from. In a group work, for example, they analyzed the slogan “Migrants simply get everything without doing anything for it” from different perspectives. The discussion brought to light critical questions about envy and the needs of migrants. “Loud slogans often indicate an inner distress,” said Engl in conclusion to her evaluation.

The “KonterBUNT” app offers a supplementary tool for dealing with such topics. Developed by the state centers for political education in Lower Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt, the app aims to encourage users to get involved in discussions about racist and sexist statements. The app offers mini-games and strategies to counter prejudiced statements in various everyday situations. In addition, users can react to regulars' table slogans and reflect on their conversation within 60 seconds.

Focus on educational work

In the context of the growing challenges posed by populist movements, it is important to actively work against discrimination. The increase in such attitudes in Germany, particularly in the East, highlights the need for educational initiatives. The International Day Against Racism on March 21st is an annual reminder that respect and respectful coexistence are the cornerstones of our society.

A variety of educational approaches, such as events and digital tools, help to anchor these topics. Initiatives like the Respect Initiative show that many people are ready to fight against racism and prejudice. The “KonterBUNT” app is available as a modern tool to make it easier to discuss regular table slogans and promote a respectful culture of discussion.

For those interested, the app is available free of charge for both Android and iOS and offers anyone aged 16 and over the opportunity to actively engage with patterns of discrimination and develop counter-strategies. In this way, a platform can also be created in the digital space that takes a stand against discrimination.

Understanding each other and actively combating prejudices remain challenges that each individual can tackle. One step towards this is to approach differentiated ways of thinking and promote a respectful culture of discussion. The regulars’ table slogan training and initiatives such as “KonterBUNT” offer valuable approaches to this.

Further information about discrimination and the strategies to combat it can be found at the State Centers for Political Education and in the [Politische Education].