Gilda Sahebi

In her new book, journalist Gilda Sahebi presents a clear analysis: we all think in racist terms. This has nothing to do with extremism. Rather, it is the consequence of political and social structures that shape our thoughts and actions. Where majority and minority societies clash, racist thought patterns and structures almost inevitably emerge – unless we consciously counteract them. Sahebi analyzes the specifics of German racism, looking back to the German Empire and tracing the common threads of racist thinking that extend into the debates of our present day – for example on citizenship, the Middle East conflict or migration. She shows how we are constantly perpetuating racist and divisive narratives, teaching ourselves racism again and again – and thus endangering democracy.

Gilda Sahebi, born in Iran and raised in Germany, is a trained doctor and studied political science. She works as a freelance journalist (e.g. taz, Spiegel, ARD) with a focus on anti-Semitism and racism, women’s rights, the Middle East and science.

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