Young photographer Delali Ayivi documented the protests in her home city of Hamburg last weekend, which saw thousands turn out in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement following the murder of George Floyd. Echoing similar rallies across the globe - and elsewhere in Germany - protestors defied Covid-19 social distancing rules in order to call for an end to systemic racism and police brutality. Here Ayivi shares her images, and words:

“Growing up in Hamburg, in a predominantly white area with predominately white friends meant I was rarely able to address the discrimination I faced without being dismissed. It also meant it took me some time to understand that my experiences weren´t isolated incidents but part of the institution called racism. In Germany however, conversations on racism often fail to address this institutionalisation based on white supremacy and continue to portray racism as singular incidents.

I have lost a lot of friends over discussions on this structure. These friends persisted that structural oppression only exists in my head, in fear they would have to admit to their own complicity in this system. Because I was made to feel that my opinions and experiences were not valid in German society, I felt (and still do at times) alienated from my country. This is what makes this system so traumatic: it can make you feel alone, hopeless and second guess your own experiences.

For me, this protest in Hamburg was the first time I was surrounded by thousands of people who shared and understood my struggles or who could at least acknowledge them. It was extremely liberating and empowering. I hope that at the very least these protests will teach black bothers and sisters around the world that we are not alone. That no matter how many voices try to dismiss our experiences as overreaction, there is a community of back people and non-black allies here to strengthen our backs.”

Photography Delali Ayivi

Published on 12/06/2020