After #MeToo, in Germany comes #MeTwo

BERLIN (AP) – After #MeToo comes #MeTwo.

The hashtag became a rallying point for dozens of second- and third-generation immigrants to Germany, who went on Twitter to share their stories of daily racism and how they still struggle to be accepted as Germans .

The hashtag, which echoes the #MeToo anti-harassment movement, was created by Ali Can, a 24-year-old journalist of Turkish origin, following the fury of the star's recent resignation Turkish-Turkish Mesut Ozil of the German national team.

Ozil, the son of Turkish immigrants, resigned earlier this month after violent criticism of his decision to pose for a photo with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In response, Ozil attacked the German Football Federation, its president, its fans and the media, criticizing what he called racism and double standard in the treatment of people with Turkish roots. "I'm German when we win, but I'm an immigrant when we lose," he said.

Can use the hashtag #MeTwo because he wanted to show that ethnic minorities in Germany often feel connected to two cultures or places at the same time: Germany and the country of origin of their ancestors. On Monday, some 153,000 tweets reporting discrimination cases were posted on Twitter, according to the German news agency DPA.

Germany is home to more than 4 million people of Turkish origin, who were invited in the 1960s to help rebuild Countries after World War II

The debate also reflects the divisions in Germany on the recent influx of many Muslim asylum seekers. Since 2015, more than one million migrants, mostly from war – torn countries like Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, have arrived in Germany

. AfD, which won seats in the German Parliament for the first time last year.

In all, about 20% of the more than 82 million people living in Germany have immigrant roots.

"We must redefine what it is" Can, who initiated the debate #MeTwo, told the Associated Press on Monday

"No matter how much immigrants want to integrate in German society, they will not be able to do it by themselves., "he said. "Everyone here needs help for integration."

Among the #MeTwo tweets, many have complained of discrimination based on the color of the skin or the wearing of the headscarf. Others have denounced the assumption of some Germans that even third-generation immigrant children do not fully belong to the "Germans".

The Net surfer Twitter Moorni recounted his school experience: "Despite good grades no recommendation for full high school. Anyway, my daughter will wear a hijab and get married early. "

Abeneezer Negussie tweeted:" When a stranger tells you after a good conversation in a train, your skin color is not your fault, I mean, you can unfortunately ""

Some have writes that despite the pain and humiliation they suffered because of racism, #MeTwo's outcry had important and positive elements.

"The good thing about the racism debate in 2018 is that the migrants have finally joined the conversation, "said Turkish-German author Hatice Akyun." Our parents claimed not to understand and turned their heads away from shame. "

On Twitter, the Anti-migrant comments followed the #MeTwo move.But some migrants also posted on their positive experiences in the country using the hashtag #MyGermanDream

The German Foreign Minister, Heiko Maas, also wrote on Twitter: "It undermines the image from Germany if racism We can not allow people with migrating roots to feel threatened Together we must resolutely defend diversity and tolerance. "