Timelines

Migration is a natural part of living systems, and human history is no exception. Yet it remains one of the most debated public issues of our time.

Both people and borders move. Who is allowed to move, and who is granted rights, lies at the heart of how nations define belonging. In Germany and the United States alike, these debates have been deeply intertwined with evolving ideas of race and ethnicity.

These timelines trace how citizenship and belonging have been constructed, challenged, and redefined through laws, social movements, global events, and cultural works — and how those histories continue to shape the present.

1979

Child migration Namibia and the GDR

In the 1970s, Namibia was at war with South Africa and therefore sent children to the GDR to stay there for a while.

The South West African People's Organization (SWAPO) campaigned for the GDR to take in Namibian children as part of a solidarity campaign and to provide them with accommodation and education. A total of 430 children are taken in by the GDR, many of whom attend the so-called “School of Friendship” in Staßfurt. There are also many (a total of 900) Mozambican youths there. The “School of Friendship” is an educational institution that is isolated from the majority society of the GDR. The young people have no visiting rights. After eight years of schooling, they can begin vocational training in Staßfurt and the surrounding area. However, many return to Namibia immediately after school or after completing their training, where they are again considered “Germans” and experience difficulties returning and reintegrating into society. During the period of reunification, the school is increasingly affected by racist attacks.

Film by Beatrice Möller, Nicola Hens und Susanne Radelhof

Trailer for the documentary film "Omulaule heißt Schwarz" (“Omulaule Means Black”)

The film is about Namibians who grew up as children in the GDR and were sent back to their country of origin after reunification.

Germany

Sources

Glombik, Delphine (2011): Rassismus und die DDR?! Repräsentationen von Rassismuserfahrungen namibischer Mädchen vor, während und nach der Wende. Eine Analyse der Autobiographien von Stefanie-Lahya Aukongo und Lucia Engombe..
Engombe, Lucia (2004): Kind Nr. 95. Meine deutsch-afrikanische Odyssee, Ullstein, Berlin..

Related Events

1904

Resistance and Genocide in Namibia

1976

Labor Treaties Between the GDR and Non-European States

Learn how these timelines were made

UNITED STATES

GERMANY

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