Under the hashtag #makegermanygreatagain – a nod to populist US presidential candidate Donald Trump – the song “Be Deutsch” by German comedian Jan Böhmermann topped a million views within 24 hours with its lyrics hailing Germany's modern, liberal values and trashing its dark past.
“Be Deutsch! Be nice!” the sharp-tongued entertainer repeats throughout the song, redefining what it means to be a Bundesbürger (federal citizen).
Böhmermann, whose show Neo Magazin Royale is broadcast weekly on publicly-owned ZDF, borrows heavily from world famous industrial metal and hard rock band Rammstein.
The striking images in its video and strong political message assured a mass of reaction – both positive and negative – on social media after it was posted.
Kann mich nicht entscheiden, ob uns @janboehm mit #BeDeutsch oder @extra3 mit'm #Endowahn-Track beim #Eurovison Song Contest vertreten soll
— derPUPE vom #RumFunk (@derPUPE) 31. März 2016
“Take that, you 'concerned citizens'!,” another wrote. “Böhmermann has used the broadcaster fee for the public good.”
Take that, Ihr Besorgten! Rundfunkgebühren im öffentlich-rechtlichen Sinne eingesetzt. https://t.co/PcQphF1kpQ Ist was mit #Böhmi #BeDeutsch
— Silke Burmester (@Medienfront) 31. März 2016
Some people complained that despite its anti-nationalist message, Böhmermann was sparking a “contest to be better at being German” that wasn't particularly helpful.
So'n Wettbewerb ums bessere Deutschsein hat gerade noch gefehlt. #bedeutsch
— Philip Meinhold (@Philip_Meinhold) 31. März 2016
1. Nationalists with torches and pitchforks
Photo: ZDF/YouTube screenshot
“Remember, remember the 9th of November…,” sings the entertainer in the beginning, alluding to the infamous pogrom against Jews called Kristallnacht, or Night of Broken Glass, on November 9th 1938. We definitely don't want that again.
2. “Authoritarian nationalist dorks”
Photo: ZDF/YouTube screenshot
Böhmermann selects a video of Alternative for Germany (AfD) leading light Frauke Petry to illustrate his idea of an “authoritarian nationalist”.
The entertainer's lyrics also paint a picture of modern-day Germanness:
1. Socks and sandals
Photo: ZDF/YouTube screenshot
Sandals against smelly feet and socks against the cold. Makes sense, right?
2. Birkenstock shoes
Photo: ZDF/YouTube screenshot
Another German foot-fashion-fetish. The rest of the world will eventually come around to appreciate their beauty. They'll come around…
3. Bicycle helmets
Photo: ZDF/YouTube screenshot
There is in fact no German law obliging people to wear helmets. It's all for reasons of style.
4. Reserving sun loungers with towels
Photo: ZDF/YouTube screenshot
Some things never change. Especially the German need to colonize lounging areas.
5. Döner kebab
Photo: ZDF/YouTube screenshot
And you thought all Bundesbürger ate was Schnitzel and sausage? Wrong! Those two have long made way for this greasy feast.
6. Sausages
Photo: ZDF/YouTube screenshot
Alright, fine. They still eat sausages – but at least this time they're vegan.
7. Liberal
Photo: ZDF/YouTube screenshot
Yep, the Bundesrepublik still feels pretty liberal when it comes to homosexuality (despite the whole lack of legal recognition of gay marriage thing).
8. “Everyone can do whatever the fuck they want”
Okay, maybe some people might find the kinky priest a bit too liberal.
9. Dosenpfand (refundable cans)
Photo: ZDF/YouTube screenshot
Despite all how liberal Germans may be, they still follow the rules and are very conscientious when it comes to recycling and saving money. Also, how intense is this boy? There's good odds his name is Max.
10. Multicultural
Photo: ZDF/YouTube screenshot
Luckily, the face of Germany isn't all staring blond children. In fact, it's multi-faceted – and by and large, it seems to work.
11. A different kind of pride
Photo: ZDF/YouTube screenshot
Considering the past of the country, there's really not much to be boasting about. So why not turn it around? Pride in no pride.
12. NICE
Photo: ZDF/YouTube screenshot
Despite all prejudices, Germans are actually genuinely nice. It's just taking some people a little longer to get used to the idea.
by Max Bringmann
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