#3 - Awareness Akademie

06.05.2021

02.09.2020

#3

Racism and Club Culture

Where are the problems and how does anti-racism work in club cultural spaces?

The pandemic not only threatens the livelihoods of many people within club culture, but also throws the inequalities and shortcomings of our society into stark relief. Much of this is happening without concrete awareness of racist mechanisms within our own structures. But racist practices and actions also take place in club culture in various dimensions and areas—in teams, in communication, on the dance floor, at the door, in programming. This roundtable hosted actors and initiatives who actively work against racism and for equal treatment in club culture. Together, these actors and roundtable participants discussed and analyzed the status quo, and developed countermeasures and opportunities for action.

Celine Barry led (through fall 2020) the anti-discrimination counseling of Each One Teach One, a community-based education and empowerment project in Berlin. Within the framework of the federal program Demokratie leben!, EOTO is active in the structural development of federal centers for racism prevention and empowerment of Black communities.
Kikelomo is a DJ, radio show host and Boiler Room host.
Maureen Mutheu is, among other things, organizer and curator of the Berlin club series Higher Grounds and Songversations. Her mission is to create access and visibility for talented, diverse creatives and artists and to strengthen the sense of community among BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and Persons of Color).
Rafia Shahnaz and Can Tunç are active in GLADT e.V., an independent organization for and by Black, Indigenous & of Color Lesbian, Gay, Bisexuals, Trans*, Queer community in Berlin. They are active on different levels—including within Berlin’s club culture—against racism, sexism, trans- and homophobia, ableism and other forms of discrimination.

Insights and outlook

How can we recognize racist structures? Even within communities or in supposedly safe spaces, discriminatory situations arise. Club culture should train itself to understand these situations and create infrastructures to support those affected.
Atmosphere, booking, club door: diversity and awareness play a role in all areas. In order to create party and nightlife spaces that are inviting and free from discrimination for everyone, anti-racism must be seen as a cross-cutting task.
Strategies are needed to effectively establish anti-racist door policies. Among other strategies, this could be achieved through more diversity in the team at the door, or through training of and for door staff.