The anthology “Kinder der Befreiung” (Children of Liberation) by Marion Kraft sheds light on a hitherto little-noticed chapter of the multifaceted history of Black Germans and Black people in Germany:
“Seventy years after the end of World War II, this volume honors the contributions African American soldiers made to Germany’s liberation from fascism and brings together voices of Black Germans of the postwar generation.” Publisher description
Voices from both sides of the Atlantic are brought together, opening new perspectives on an almost forgotten part of German and U.S. history and relations. Further, the book looks at the causes and effects of racism and derives strategies for positive change.
The volume is divided into four parts, the first of which is an overview study of Afro-German history and present in Germany as well as the United States. The second part – “Life Writing – Experienced History” – focuses on personal experiences. In the third part of the book, Afro-German-US-American history is addressed from different scholarly perspectives; the concept of the African diaspora is subjected to critical scrutiny. The fourth part of the book contains interviews with three founders of ADEFRA (Afro-German Women) and the former professional boxer Charly Graf. Five lyrical expressions conclude the volume. Cf. book description Children of Liberation
Marion Kraft (ed.) 2015: Children of Liberation. Transatlantic Experiences and Perspectives of Black Germans of the Postwar Generation. Münster: Unrast.
If you don’t have a bookstore worth supporting near you, you can also buy the book from the alternative non-profit online bookstore links-lesen.de, which supports political projects with the profits. The link to the book is: http: //www.links-lesen.de/article/978-3-89771-592-9