April 2001
Dear PMrs,
The history of the fascists here still weighs heavy, and recently attention has been focused on them again as the numbers and problems with neo-nazis are apparently on the rise. Although the phenomenon of far-right cultures is by no means limited to Germany, the emergence of a hard-core far-left movement also seems to be gaining momentum and attention. This group, which some say are more of a worry, identifies itself by loudly and visibly opposing the neo-nazis. This picture was taken at an "Anti-fascist Ska Concert" (ear-splitting hard, fast and heavy punk reggae blues mix), and at first glance they don´t look any different, but the slogans they wear declare vehemently their stance.
On the subject of violence..."to shoot or not to shoot?". That was the question as I boarded a tram late one night and noticed, 2 metres from the door, a man slamming another against the side of the tram and pressing a knife into his cheek...I drew my trusty Mju from my jacket pocket, sliding the cover back, and then asked myself where my escape route was...actually there was nowhere to go. I looked at the driver, and really doubted he would understand to slam the door shut behind me after I took the shot...he would have (in that special German way) asked to see my ticket as I got the knife in my back. The few bucks the picture would have made were of course not worth it. (By the way, don´t worry about the bad guy and his victim...they were dealers arguing about who should have paid for the latest shipment!)
Hey, it´s really Spring here now.
Cheers all,
Dean