Yet another familiar email came in from the airlines. This time it’s official: you finally have the answer you’ve been waiting for, for the past three months. Your family trip is cancelled. It’s something we have become accustomed to during this pandemic. Cancelled holidays and changing plans at the last minute characterize the summer of 2020.
Yes, we know, Oktoberfest was cancelled, but before you get your Lederhosen in a bunch, there are plenty of exciting things to do in Munich this summer and fall. As a part of our monthly topic, we’ve compiled a list of Über Moms favorite bike and budget tours in and around Munich.
We’ve provided resources in English, with an offering of German websites as well. Don’t forget your helmets, sunscreen and picnic! Viel Spaẞ!
Just as I like to change my wardrobe as the weather gets warmer, I like to change my essential oils too. As the sun comes out I enjoy lighter, fresher aromas. However, its not just about creating a nice ambiance, these wonderful little oils can help with a variety of summer issues. Here’s my guide to Your Summer Essential Oils.
Each year I’ve lived in Germany, the month of August has been met with the boisterous cheers of school children and delighted neighbors preparing to head for the sea. The airports were packed with German tourists ready to embark on sandy beaches and foreign languages, while in the meantime, we’d head over the Atlantic to visit home.
The Earth is the precious, bountiful, abundant, and breathtakingly beautiful place that we call home. It supports us, feeds us, clothes us, provides shelter, and evokes a sense of joy and wonder in our hearts. And yet the human race tends to take for granted all we’ve been given, and the symbiotic relationship we have with the Earth in order to sustain our very existence.
Sometimes how to start an article is the hardest part: how to tie all the things that need to be said into some kind of coherent, readable article. I have started this article at least ten times, in long hand, yes, even in fountain pen (that’s how old I am!), but as I have given up on all those attempts I am typing, conscious of the deadline but also that I am still not sure how this article is going to finish.
As our theme this month is “Living the Displaced Life,” it seems appropriate to speak about our time during this global pandemic. As expats, our lives are already displaced due to living apart from our family of origins, our circle of friends, and our countries. Presently, our lives have become even more displaced due to the extreme measures we’ve found ourselves under during the past several months.
If you, like me, are angered by the murder of George Floyd by a white policeman in the United States, and feel inspired by the ongoing protests to take action against the systemic racism present in U.S. culture, you may be wondering what you can do from over here in Germany.
Here are a few ideas that I have learned in the past weeks, things I can do as an expat.
One thing is clear to me: simply standing on the sidelines and not taking action is not enough.
The most important thing that we can do, in my opinion, is listen and be willing to learn from Black American voices. We can learn from Black activists, who have been advocating for racial equality for years, what kind of support they see white allies being able to provide.
There are books, written by Black activists – now bestsellers – that are prominently listed on various online marketplaces. There are documentaries, movies, and TV shows which can teach us.
We can learn from following Black voices on social media, as well. Making sure that your feed is populated with Black voices will help you to learn.
It is never too soon to talk to children about race. This is an ongoing conversation to have, not a one time mention while the topic is “trending.”
Not sure what to say? Look for recommended books, sorted by age, and educational programming to encourage them to learn as well.
No, electing progressive or liberal public officials will not stop racism in and of itself, but allowing officials to be elected who actively work against the Black Lives Matter movement certainly will not improve things. So make sure you are registered to vote from abroad – your right as a US Citizen! – and then (and this is key), actually vote. Not just in the national elections, but also at the state and local level.
As a voting citizen, you have just as much right to contact local officials as someone still living in the U.S. Sending an email or a letter to your hometown police department or city officials, for example, to demand defunding and other pro-Black measures.
Donating even as little as 5€ to bail funds or other activism funds can make a difference. And if you want to do more, what about some phone banking? Either to encourage other expats to vote (check out Democrats Abroad!) or use Skype or another voice chat program to call and encourage local support.
Use your social media as a voice of allyship. If someone makes racist comments, challenge them! Your silence is complicity: it tells the person speaking that they can feel free to make racist comments. Pass on what you have learned.
The above is just a small list of the many many things that we as allies can do. Most importantly, now is the time to listen and learn, and support our Black sisters and brothers. Together, we can make a difference.
Questions? Email us at info@ubermoms.de
