Through reading Peter Schneider’s The Wall Jumper, a picture is painted of a nation divided by both mental and physical barriers. The narrator tells the stories of his acquaintances both from East and West Berlin, and how each of them responds in their own way to the walls presence. One of the sub-topics throughout the story is that of the expression of German nationalism. Since the fall of the Nazi Regime, many Germans have struggled with the expression of their national identity. This has been made apparent, in recent years, with the discretion show in displaying the German colors by its citizens. Many have come to fear any form of nationalism as a precursor to the horrible events of Germany’s past.
This brings me to the present. Currently, Germany is one of four teams to qualify for the semi-finals of the World Cup; with this, many Germans have been proud to display their German colors. While to some this type of nationalism seems harmless, many see this as just the beginning to the “us vs them” attitude that sparked the rise of Nazi propaganda.
Being an American in Berlin I have had the chance to experience the World Cup fever here from an outsiders perspective. I have watched the games at crowded pubs and on large park monitors with thousands, and never was I treated in an unsuitable manner. On the contrary, many Germans were quick to praise the United States team on its current success (Although this could be because they don’t really view us as a threat).
As a sports fan, I feel as though the passion being shown for their team is a great testament to the support these people have for their home team. While sports are, by nature, an aggressive activity, they can also serve to promote unity and teamwork. It is this type of message that should be emphasized to all who watch or participate in any type of sport, especially one such as soccer.
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