THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
The Black Joy Bike Parade took place on 26 June in Berlin. The bicycle demonstration through the German capital city was meant to collectively remind society that the Black community would not let everyday racism take away their joy in life, the organisers said.
Miriam, founder of Zewdi, the event’s organisers, writes to participants and indeed the Black community about this year’s parade:
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“All of you who participated in the Black Joy Bike Parade, congratulations—we just created history.
I want to express my gratitude to everyone who came out in support of enhancing our visibility in Berlin.
Without asking, we occupied space, and Berlin’s streets were a platform for us to express all facets of our identity.
We had a police escort, with the streets were blocked off for us. We were serenaded with the energizing music of Afro-Germans and fed delicious Jamaican food from Good Vybz Catering.
The exhibition by Afrika House Berlin was stimulating, seeing those that blazed a path for us to follow.
Together, we enjoyed a memorable, peaceful experience.
I’m absolutely aware that we are extremely different and complex beings, as Blacks, Africans, and Germans, with a wide variety of intersectionalities and identities. We found common ground as counterparts in our battle to be seen, to be heard, and to be acknowledged in our communities, whether we identify as African, Black Caribbean, Black German, Black Muslim, Black Lesbian, Black Refugee, Mixed Race, Latina, Non-Binary, African American, and so many more.
I hope this occasion will inspire us to come together and support each other in creating a better slice of the future.
We appreciate your generosity in giving and lowering the cost. Huge gratitude goes to the Center for Intersectional Justice (CIJ), who this week agreed cover the remaining expenses.
Next year, I hope to see more stunning Black folks at the Black Joy Bike Parade. I appreciate you.”
Miriam
Founder, Zewdi
www.zewdi.de
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