A personal thread, as I’m in a political mood. Just in case you ever wondered where my last name came from (it didn’t sound like a German name to you, did it?) 1/
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My father fled from communists, and was – naturally – granted asylum in Germany. Together with my mother, he built a company (actually, a number of them), and they were able to help their two sons through university. 3/
Jun 18, 2018 · 9:38 PM UTC
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The German constitution (“Grundgesetz”) , in article 16a (1) says “Politisch Verfolgte genießen Asylrecht.”, “Persons persecuted on political grounds shall have the right of asylum.”. I owe almost everything I am, and own, and all of my significant privilege, to that article. 4/
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The countries that have similar provisions in their constitutions, and act according to them, form the reasonable part of the world, and I think this is something to be proud of. Once you start questioning that, it’s a slippery slope to the shitty nationalist crap of the past 5/
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Now, I completely agree anyone asking for the right to permanently stay in a country that has a decent, democratic, human constitution, needs to adhere to that country’s laws. But as soon as they’re accepted as citizens of that country, that’s what they are. 6/
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My favorite nation, of all, is the United States, where as soon as you become a citizen, you’re entitled to the same pride as everyone who was born there. Oh, of course I mean the fictional US as depicted in “Hamilton”, romantic novels and movies, and Aaron Sorkin TV shows. 7/
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