What is a real Man...

A Rollback in the right-wing scene...sounds absurd. The question has to be asked, beyond which point the right-wing nuts want to go. Esther Lehnert, co-autor of the Book "Was ist ein rechter Mann. Mänlichkeit im Rechtsextremismus" (What is a real Man. Right-Wing Masculinity) said at the presentation of her book in Berlin, that general changes in society apply to the Neo-Nazis as well. A couple of years ago right-wing girl groups were on the rise. Most important example were the "Düütschen Deerns". Today this development is dwindling down. Gitta Schüßler, who was accused of 'feministic ideas' has been replaced as chairwoman of the 'Ring Nationaler Frauen' (Association of National Women) with Edda Schmidt, a member of the old 'hard-core' establishment. Last year 2 female MP's of the regional parliament in the province Meckelnburg-Vorpommern resigned and have been replaced with male MP's.

The NPD is mostly a militant association of guys. Fact is, that 95% of the right-wing violence is being carried out by men. Right-Wing Parties consist of about 75% of men and 2/3 of the elected right-wing politicians have been elected by male voters. Gerd Wiegel (reporter for the left-wing fraction on right-wing extremism and anti-fascism) thinks that the male dominance is the reason, why there exists so little scientific data.

This Book by Robert Claus, Esther Lehnert and Yves Müller of the Rosa-Luxemburg Foundations tries to change that. Esther Lehnert explains, that completely antiquated gender stereotypes are of the most important for the inner working of the right-wing scene and how they perceive model of the society in general. The need for this rigid structure is also the Achilles Hell of the right-wing scene. This is the main reason why they fight so violently against feminists, gays and gender mainstreaming.

Gender researcher Robert Claus reports that gays just can't exist in the right-wing scene. Homophobia is a central part of right-wing ideology. Accusing someone of homosexuality is widely used 'tool' in Neo-Nazi groups in order to consolidate power. Very often, outrageous violence, is used in a homosocial character in order to assert or re-assert power. Best example for that is the murder of Marinus Schoberl: he was killed because he was wearing HipHop cloth, had funky hair and couldn't drink as much alcohol as his torturers. On the other hand Michael Kühnen, the gay former Neo-Nazi leader, almost dismantled the right-wing scene. As Esther Lehnert puts it Nationalsocialism/Neo-National-Socialism and Homosexuality is something that is for most right-wing followers absolutely incompatible.

Lehnert thinks, that the common practice of increasing gender stereotypes in prevention work, is just a bad approach. The motto is still:"With hard guys you have to work hard". Guys that have a tendency to the 'right' are still being sent boxing in order to get them off the street. Lehnert cites a different example: a painting workshop with right-wing hooligans. That is certainly the exception and it took a lot of effort to make that work. But it just goes to show you that there is a different approach to it.

Robert Claus, Esther Lehnert, Yves Müller: "Was ist ein rechter Mann. Mänlichkeit im Rechtsextremismus" (What is a real Man. Right-Wing Masculinity). Dietz Berlin. 255 pages. EUR 14.90

Source: Neues Deutschland