In the seventh edition of the successful discussion series "Positions and Perspectives", the French-Israeli sociologist Eva Illouz, one of the most prominent left-wing thinkers of our time, will be our guest. She writes: "There was a time when we were able to represent several values at the same time: Equality and freedom, anti-racism and freedom of expression, diversity and tolerance. The current political climate - especially on the left - has changed drastically. We are now forced to choose a camp: between the fight against Islamophobia and the fight against anti-Semitism." Why is the political left increasingly sacrificing universalist principles in favor of particular identity politics interests? What does this mean for the future of progressive movements and social cohesion? Illouz analyzes why such developments weaken the moral authority of the left and makes an urgent plea for alliances and a return to values such as fraternity and empathy. But how can this succeed in an increasingly polarized society? Together with Saba-Nur Cheema and Meron Mendel, Eva Illouz discusses how ideals and dialog could lead the way out of the crisis.
Positions and Perspectives 8: Saba-Nur Cheema and Meron Mendel in conversation with Eva Menasse
On the question of how the anti-Semitism debate in Germany derailed - on February 21 at 7 pm - Schauspielhaus, Kleines Haus
In the eighth edition of the discussion series "Positions and Perspectives", Austrian essayist and novelist Eva Menasse will be our guest. She has received numerous prizes for her writing, including the Heinrich Böll Prize for Literature, the Austrian Book Prize and the Bruno Kreisky Prize for the political book. Her most recent novel "Dunkelblum" was a bestseller and has been translated into nine languages. Eva Menasse was also spokesperson for the writers' association PEN Berlin, where she has lived for more than 20 years. Menasse sharply criticizes the political discussion about anti-Semitism and in 2022 attested to the Germans' fatal desire for symbolic politics. Since October 7, 2023, the debate about anti-Semitism and criticism of Israel has become even more heated. It has become more emotional, polarized and often irreconcilable. There are insinuations and prejudgements as well as trivialization and ignorance. The debate has long since spread to the cultural landscape. Why is this topic in particular causing so much controversy? And how can we find a more objective and productive exchange?