Language:
English
Year of publication:
2000
Titel der Quelle:
Patterns of Prejudice
Angaben zur Quelle:
34,2 (2000) 41-56
Keywords:
Jews History 1945-
Abstract:
Xenophilia and philosemitism are two phenomena which have emerged in Germany in the context of efforts to cope with the Nazi past and of the post-reunification upsurge of xenophobia. These phenomena exist insofar as they are useful to Germany. In particular, philosemitism serves to show that the new Germany is radically different from the old, Nazi one, that Germany has been reintegrated with the West, etc. Jews are especially well-suited for the role of a newly-beloved alien because of the memory of the Holocaust - prior exclusion stresses the new inclusion. Points out that philosemitism (as a kind of xenophilia) uses imagery of the Other analogous to that of antisemitism and serves a similar goal - to create a positive self-image of the in-group, to reinforce its identity. The difference between Self and Other must also be maintained because without it xenophilia loses its sense. Memorialization of the Holocaust in Germany today tends to honor Germany's new philosemitism and is based on the abstract image of the Jew as an eternal sufferer and victim.
Note:
Especially on postwar Germany.
DOI:
10.1080/00313220008559139
URL:
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