Initiative Black People in Germany (ISD Bund)/Initiative Schwarze Menschen in Deutschland ISD Bund e.V.

The Initiative Black People in Germany, which was founded in 1985 as the Initiative Black Germans, is now the oldest self-organization by and for Black people in Germany.

The founding of the ISD was preceded by the book "Bekennen Farb", which is considered the first publication by Black people today and laid the foundation for the younger Black movement.

If we speak of the younger black movement today, it is because there were socially relevant activities by black people in Germany long before the initiatives that exist today. For example, in the 1920s, black workers, trade unionists, artists and colonial migrants banded together to stand up for their rights and lifestyles.

The articles in "Show Your Color" laid the foundation for the political work of the ISD and have shaped it to some extent to this day. For example, the book contributions by May Ayim and Katharina Oguntoye discuss German colonial history from the perspective of black people for the first time and thus present its effectiveness on a global and local level.

The ISD represents the interests of Black people in society and politics and wants to influence legislation. The topics of everyday racism, racist violence and police violence are central focal points of the work. For us, black resistance is first and foremost a struggle for the perception of these perspectives.

The aim is to promote the political participation of black people and to improve their living conditions in Germany. We call for an anti-racist stance in all areas of politics (education, residency, citizenship, asylum legislation) and that the reality of diverse and interlocking forms of discrimination be recognized. Aware that collective, political work is essential, the ISD organizes networking of black and migrant communities. We connect with the struggles in the 20th century that colonial migrants and anti-fascists waged against exploitation, discrimination and persecution. In this sense, the ISD shows solidarity with people who have fled, in order to make it clear here too