Opinion: Nietzard's Hoodie Stunt Stupid, Merz's Hypocrisy Worse
- Written by Kerstin Herrnkind
- ~ 3.5 Min Read
Klöckner's Letter Takes Center Stage, Not the ACAB Hoodie - Klöckner's correspondence, not the ACAB hoodie, is the focus here.
There's no debating it; Jette Nietzard, the Green Youth's spokesperson, has earned herself a reputation for spewing nonsense. A few days ago, she posted a photo of herself rocking an "ACAB"-emblazoned hoodie, a left-wing German slang adaptation that roughly translates to "All Cops Are Bastards" or "All Cops Are Pigs." After catching flak, Nietzard attempted to backtrack, claiming that she doesn't mean all police officers are pigs, but the system behind them is what she loathes. She even mentioned "Lorenz," the Oldenburg youth who was fatally shot by police, and numerous people with migrant backgrounds and dark skin who supposedly fear the police.
Now, the Greens have found themselves in the crosshairs of Bundestag President Julia Kloeckner (CDU). The party granted Nietzard a Bundestag pass, despite her not being an MP. Putting on that hoodie within the Bundestag would purportedly contravene the house rules, Kloeckner warned, and police officers might feel offended, possibly culminating in Nietzard's expulsion from the house.
Dumb, Wrong, and Populist, but Apologies Aren't Needed
Nietzard's hoodie stunt comes off as stupid, her sentiment is flawed, and it smacks of populism. Apologizing isn't in order, as demanded by the masses. In a democracy, people are entitled to say whatever nonsense they want; that's part of the bargain. Kloeckner's overreaction reeks of hypocrisy, as the Union party has been known to spew nonsense as well.
Not to forget, Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) once referred to "green and left-wing lunatics" in a Bundestag speech and expressed a desire to craft policies for those "who still have all their marbles." Considering how benign an ACAB hoodie seems in comparison, it's hard not to ponder this comparison. Add to that, Merz's wife, Charlotte, infamously silenced a ZDF reporter when he posed an audacious question about the heavily debated Leitkultur.
Merz himself had a misstep in '97 when he voted against making spouse-induced rape a criminal offense. At that time, he advocated for a loophole that enabled women to nix prosecution, a move he later acknowledged was a mistake, as it likely allowed rapists to coerce their victims.
Recent events demonstrate that Kloeckner has her own shortcomings. She aimed to muzzle the churches, expressing concerns about political statements made by religious organizations—forgetting, perhaps, that everyone in this country is entitled to express their opinion through words, writing, and imagery, provided they commit no crimes.
ACAB Inscription Not Criminal
The ACAB inscription is not inherently illegal, as the Federal Constitutional Court affirmed in a 2016 case involving a football fan who sported the inscription on his pants—specifically, on his posterior. According to the court, the inscription can also be viewed as a form of criticism directed at the system. Indeed, there's much to critique regarding the German police. Nietzsche cited "Lorenz" as evidence of police misconduct. She likely spoke about the 21-year-old Lorenz A., fatally shot by police in Oldenburg, after being allegedly sprayed with pepper spray. It is uncertain whether the officer was blinded, fired in panic, or if he should face trial. However, it's too early to pass judgment on this unfortunate incident.
Arguably, people perceived as "foreign" are stopped by police approximately double the rate of others. This reality isn't merely the opinion of "left-wing extremists"; it's a result of factual research. Regrettably, there have been, and continue to be, horrific instances of police misconduct. At present, nearly 400 police officers in Germany are under investigation due to suspected far-right affiliations. A recent study found that, in Hamburg, nearly one out of every four officers holds right-leaning political views.
ACAB Sweeps Everyone Under the Same Brush
Despite the justified criticism, it's ill-advised to hate the entire "police system," as Nietzsche does. With around 330,550 police officers in Germany, ACAB indiscriminately places everyone in the hot seat, even those who carry out their duties diligently. A more constructive approach would involve Nietzsche donating her hoodie to charity, visiting police stations, observing their work, and engaging with officers. This way, she can become an influential politician who is taken seriously.
The Commission, in light of the ongoing debate about police conduct and systemic issues within the police force, has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation. This move falls under the realm of policy-and-legislation, given the policymaking process involved in drafting such a proposal.
Meanwhile, the ongoing saga of Jette Nietzard's hoodie incident has shed light on the political landscape and the hypocrisy that often pervades it. This controversy, referred to as general-news, serves as an arduous hurdle for Nietzard but offers an opportunity for self-reflection and constructive engagement in the crime-and-justice sector.
