Starting up again

Came back yesterday from London after a much needed break. It was wonderful to see that part of my family again. They are very dear to me and I am grateful to my mother for making sure that we knew who our relatives were! Everywhere I went I met people who had stories of immigrant parents, even at the Lido swimming pool!... Today we had the chance to talk with Michaela Maria Mueller, the author of several books. One of them is about a Somali family that she has followed from their journey out of Somalia ending up in Germany. Unfortunately the book is in German so I can't read it just yet. We had a very thoughtful conversation about what it means to be a refugee and why there is so much resistance in some parts of society. What is the cause? We also talked about How different generations have dealt with the Holocauset here in Germany. We discussed the differences in the way the Ukranians have been looked after vs. the way refugees from Muslim or African nations have been treated. Can you believe that at one time, for example, Turkey was not wanted as part of Europe because it was not a Christian nation? That people thought that Europe should be only for Christian nations? Lots to think about. ... Tomorrow we return to Schwedt. I am ready to start working with some different groups this time. Hope it all works out.

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