Alienation From the Second Homeland: German Difficulties in Dealing with Foreigners

My first visit to the Federal Republic of Germany was in 1958 to 1961 as a young Humboldt scholar. During those years my attitude toward the Germans was determined by exclusively positive results. I invariably felt at ease among workers, academics, and counselors, and especially in their families. It may have been that because of my relatively good knowledge of German I was less conspicuous as a black or a foreigner and much better accepted than was usually the case for other people. However, I was not wrong with regard to the basic receptivity of the Germans and their openness toward foreigners. When in 1963 and 1964 I stood before the court and was forced to fight for my freedom and my life I could call Germany my second homeland. Despite all reservations, I could put forth the German society as a model of a democratic society.