Anti-discrimination

The word discrimination refers to the act of one or more people being disadvantaged in favour of one or more others. Discrimination can take many different and complex forms. The key element of discrimination is that equals are not treated equally.

Here is an example:
A teacher has 25 children in her class. Some of these children are from migrant families, others are not. Regardless of their abilities, the children from migrant families tend to get lower grades than the children who are not from migrant families.

However, disadvantages can also occur where inequalities are treated in the same way.

For example:
Two children are taking part in a race. One child is on crutches, the other is not. In this race, the only thing that matters is who crosses the finish line first. It is obvious that the child on crutches cannot run as fast as the other child who has two healthy legs. The physical requirements for winning the race are therefore not the same for both children and should not be treated equally.

Single discrimination, multiple discrimination, intersectional discrimination

Even though the German General Equality Act individually lists various characteristics of discrimination, the reality is that people are often confronted with discrimination due to several of these characteristics. It is possible to be discriminated against due to a disability (single discrimination), but also due to a disability and sexual orientation (multiple discrimination). The characteristics for which a person is discriminated against can often overlap, mesh and interact simultaneously. We describe this as intersectional discrimination. This perspective shows us that various forms of suppression and disadvantage do not simply add together, but rather are related and can influence each other. Between these forms of discrimination there are interrelations and interactions that must be urgently considered with regard to visibility and deconstruction of the associated relationships.

German Basic Law gives all people the same rights. Disadvantages or advantages for persons based upon various characteristics are forbidden.

Article 3 (3) of the German Basic Law states:
No person shall be favoured or disfavoured because of sex, parentage, race*, language, homeland and origin, faith or religious or political opinions. No person shall be disfavoured because of disability.

*We prefer to distance ourselves from the term “race” as there are no different races of humans and use of this term in this context reinforces racist theories. Unfortunately, this term continues to be used in the wording of this law and which is why it is used in this quote.

The General Equality Law once again specifies the characteristics that are to be protected. This states that no person may be disfavoured due to

• their ethnic origin,
• their gender,
• their religion or world view,
• a disability,
• their age and
• sexual identity.

Exceptions are permitted based upon objective justifications that are also defined in the General Equality Law. For example, it is justified to treat two people differently if the same is to be achieved but where conditions for each person are different. This would apply if two people were to run a race where one of the participants has a physical disability and the other does not. If the same measures of performance are used for both people, then the person with the disability would be disadvantaged as a result of equal treatment. A person with a healthy body can run faster than a person who has had a leg amputated. This is an objective fact.

There are some aspects that are not covered by the General Equality Law. An example of this would be discrimination due to social background. We therefore consider the General Equality Law to be a framework that requires further work. Our understanding of the issues and our aim to fight discrimination and highlight the structures associated with it go beyond the scope of the General Equality Law.

The work we do is intended to help people reflect on prejudices and stereotypes. We are creating a space in which people can become aware of things that can trigger and cause discrimination. We also want to provide a framework in which behaviours can be learned that can prevent and avoid discrimination. We want everyone who we deal with to feel comfortable, regardless of their background, sexual identity, belief, appearance and health. Through our work we hope to strengthen social interactions that bring together diversity, appreciation, awareness, reflection and solidarity.