I popped downstairs to our local store for some Macadamia Nut Brittle Haagen-Daas last night (as you do). While I was waiting to pay, a very drunk and very skinned-of-head beefcake waddled up to me (gangsta style) and grunted at me from 2cm away from my face. I think it translated to ”me no likey you” – my German isn’t that great yet. As he waddled away I realised that was the first time I ever felt physically threatened because of my skin. A very strange feeling indeed.

Germans are awesome people. And Berlin is the most amazing place I’ve ever lived. Pinning the actions of a small group of idiots on an entire country is no different to what this guy did to me. However, none of our German friends would deny there are still problems here. The great thing about Berlin is that it constantly rages against fascists. That’s one of the many things that make this place feel so alive. If you want to see how most Berliners deal with people like this, check out: http://bit.ly/nzd5ud. Geil.

It’s a shame my German wasn’t good enough to have a proper conversation with the guy. Otherwise I could have congratulated him on representing Jamaican culture so proudly. After all, the original skinhead movement was inspired by Jamaican “rude boys”, listened to reggae and represented the common people. I could have also thanked him for adopting the sacred Ancient Indian symbol for luck and well being – the swastika – as his own. I wonder if these guys realise how ridiculous they look, representing themselves with things from cultures they purport to hate?

Australia has it’s own issues too – let’s not forget One Nation won 9% of Australia’s vote in the 1998 election. Even The Netherlands, the shining beacon of European liberality,  saw Geert Wilders’ Party for Freedom take 15.5% of the vote in 2010.  The question isn’t where these people are, but how we deal with them. I say laugh – hard.