During the famous Frankfurt Römerberg Talks,
Matthias C. Kettemann will present the results of his recently published Facebook study. Hadija Haruna-Oelker and Alf Mentzer will moderate the discussion. Admission is free.
The Programm in Detail.
An Intervention of the Römerberg Talks
Hate speeches, death threats up to the actual murder - anyone who expresses himself publicly in this country, who is active artistically or politically engaged, obviously can no longer feel safe. Hate speech and violence seem to be a legitimate means for a part of our society to express fundamental contradiction and political opposition. The perpetrators are probably a minority, but they are very visible, and they create a rampant fear.
This damages not only individuals but also the community. It experiences hatred as a normal attitude, and the threat of violence becomes a trivial matter. Trust as a basis for constructive public discussion is lost. Can a minority that is determined to do everything permanently intimidate the majority?
The risk to a democratic culture is considerable, precisely because negotiating political interests is a process that is as important as it is sensitive. At the beginning of the new twenties, the Römerberg Talks ask how societies can defend themselves against such attempts at intimidation. How can middle-class civility be sustained when extremist taboos threaten to be broken at any time and many a rhetoric of political violence is tipped over into action both nationally and internationally?
The Frankfurt Römerberg Talks
They are a permanent institution of the debate culture in Germany. The Römerberggespräche in Frankfurt am Main have existed in uninterrupted succession since 1973. Because of their organization, tradition and charisma, they can hardly be compared with any other debate series in Germany. They are expert talks for an interested urban public: scientists, essayists and artists discuss the political, cultural and intellectual issues of society in presentations, dialogues and discussion groups. They present important research findings and offer insights into future processes.
