Courage often begins with a decision. The decision to look closely, ask questions, and use one’s own voice. Ruth Hoffmann is one of those people who does exactly that. With an analytical eye, historical depth, and a strong sense of social responsibility, the renowned historian and journalist is committed to bringing to light developments that many initially overlook or underestimate. In her book *Raubzug von rechts* (Raid from the Right ), she powerfully demonstrates how language and narratives shape our perceptions and why it is so important to actively protect democratic values and equality.
Her work serves as a reminder that change does not happen by chance, but rather through people who take a stand, share their knowledge, and encourage others to get involved.
Dear Ms. Hoffmann, I am very pleased to introduce you today as part of our Role Model series in the FemalExperts community, and I’d like to start right away with the first question:
1. What personally motivated you to engage so deeply with right-wing narratives and their impact on women and queer people?
The male arrogance that is being flaunted with increasing ease and the massive rise in misogyny leave me stunned and furious. I never would have thought that after #MeToo there would be such a massive backlash—and not just “in right-wing circles,” but throughout society as a whole! Unfortunately, the current federal government also reflects this backward-looking mindset in many ways. In my opinion, this is primarily due to the success of far-right influencers such as the publishers Götz Kubitschek and Jürgen Elsässer, or the Identitarian Martin Sellner. They have understood that the right must first and foremost win control over people’s minds before it can seize the levers of power. For this reason, they have been working systematically for years to shift the social discourse to the right. Just how well this strategy is working can be seen not only in the growing number of votes for the AfD, but above all in the fact that many of its positions have now found their way into the political center.
2. Was there a specific moment or a social trend that provided the decisive impetus for your current book?
In my previous book, *Das deutsche Alibi*, I examined, among other things, how the AfD and the New Right hijack the commemoration of the resistance against Hitler—for example, by claiming to stand in the tradition of Sophie Scholl or Claus von Stauffenberg. In the process, I came across numerous other instances of appropriation that right-wing populists use to convey their messages. History, in particular, has become a central battleground for them, as can be seen, for example, in Björn Höcke’s call for a 180-degree shift in the culture of remembrance. However, I was not aware of the full extent to which the far right brazenly exploits our democratic history until I began researching my new book.
3. What key message do you most want to convey to your readers through your book?
The most effective attacks on our freedoms go unnoticed because they are carried out through the reinterpretation of concepts, symbols, and historical events. By the time we notice it, it’s basically already too late. This is particularly evident, for example, in our national flag: The colors black, red, and gold originate from the first German democratic movement—that is, the failed revolution of 1848—and stand for liberty, equality, and justice. For most of its history, the flag was therefore literally dragged through the mud by nationalists and right-wing extremists. Since the mid-1980s, however, it has been ubiquitous at New Right rallies, and the AfD also uses it to adorn itself.
4. How could this have happened?
There are good reasons why we Germans struggle with national symbols. On the other hand, black, red, and gold do not stand for aggressive nationalism and isolationism—but many people don’t realize that. I believe that we’ve taken our free and democratic order for granted and, as a result, haven’t given much thought to how hard it was to fight for it. The right wing can now fill that gap. They’ve understood how important history is. I’m not so sure about the Democrats.
5. Since I studied linguistics myself, the central theme of your book immediately resonated with me, because many people seem to underestimate the power of language. To what extent do you believe narratives are crucial for positive—or even negative—social change?
Let’s take the AfD’s grand doomsday narrative: For years, it has been repeating like a mantra that Germany is going downhill, that it is no longer a democratic constitutional state, that crime is on the rise, that the economy is going down the drain, and so on. They then back up this lie with numbers and so-called facts that are completely fabricated. But this destructive strategy is catching on because it apparently resonates with how many people feel about their lives, and the democratic parties are failing to come up with a positive counter-narrative. Instead, many politicians are even buying into the AfD’s line, hoping to win back votes that way. This cannot work and is disastrous for political discourse: The AfD has long been a force in government, even though it holds no government responsibility anywhere—simply by setting the agenda.
6. What threats do you currently see, particularly to feminist and queer achievements in our society?
The AfD makes no secret of the fact that it wants to roll back all these achievements, and as soon as it has the necessary leverage to do so, it will. Its goals include, for example, the abolition of “marriage for all,” the law on gender self-determination, all measures promoting gender equality, and a significant tightening of abortion laws. The party is thoroughly anti-queer, and with its strident hate rhetoric, it plays a major role in fueling prejudice against sexual minorities. Party leader Alice Weidel is no exception, even though she herself lives in a lesbian relationship. In my book, I have devoted an entire chapter to this topic because the AfD has made sexuality, family, and gender issues a central political battleground.
7. Throughout your own career, you’ve had to stand your ground time and again. What has helped you take a clear stance and stay true to your values, even in the face of adversity?
For me, there’s no alternative—otherwise, I would have had to find a different job. History is full of examples of people who fought for what they believed was right under far more difficult, often even life-threatening conditions—and for things we take for granted today. I find remembering them both inspiring and healing, because it puts things into perspective while still giving us the courage not to give up.
8. What does the term “female empowerment” mean to you personally at a time when equality no longer seems to be a given?
Personally, I dream of a large, international women’s movement that transforms justified female anger into a nonviolent but unstoppable counterforce. A movement that doesn’t care about sexual identities or party or factional affiliations, but rather unites everyone and thus mobilizes the collective female expertise to set the world on a new course. For me, “female empowerment” lies in the solidarity among us women, on both a small and a large scale. Not against “men,” but for a fundamental shift toward greater respect and justice. That may sound melodramatic and perhaps a bit trite, but I am convinced that women could be the driving force behind decisive change if they join forces to achieve it.
9. What skills can women, people who are perceived as female, and queer people focus on developing today in order to make their voices heard more effectively in social debates?
The rise of the AfD calls for resolute resistance from all who believe in democracy. However, I believe it is particularly important for women, queer, and trans people to speak out loudly against the party, because it poses a direct threat to them in particular. This realization seems to have already taken hold among the majority of the LGBTIQ community. However, many straight women apparently still do not realize what an AfD-led government would mean for them as well, even though a quick glance at the party’s platform would suffice to make that clear. So there is great potential here to mobilize in defense of democratic freedoms as a whole—and against the anti-feminism that, in the wake of the AfD’s electoral successes, is surging once again, and not just on the far right.
10. To what extent can looking back at history be helpful in this regard?
On the one hand, of course, to make people aware of what happens when authoritarian forces take the helm and the law of the strongest alone prevails. But in my book, I also show how false claims are spread even on a small scale by invoking history and so-called “traditions.” This includes, for example, the old myth that it is simply in a woman’s nature to stay at home and take care of the children and the household. People talk about the “traditional family” as if it were a given, yet in reality, no such tradition has ever existed!
11. What gives you hope when you look to the future of equality and democratic values?
We have an alert and very committed civil society: So many people are willing to help refugees or other minorities, to hand out flyers in their free time, to collect signatures, or to organize demonstrations! A clear majority still votes for democratic parties—we mustn’t forget that, despite all our concerns about the rise of the AfD. I don’t believe the far right will succeed in undoing everything that has been achieved here since the war, especially since 1968. We all simply benefit too much from our liberal, pluralistic system with its diversity of opportunities for self-expression and ways of life. Of course, not everything is fair by any means, and there’s no denying that we face enormous challenges. But these can only be overcome in an open society and through democratic means—the far right has no solutions for this. On the contrary.
Dear Ms. Hoffmann, thank you very much for your time, your clear words, and your commitment to an open, democratic, and just society. Your perspectives and analyses make an important contribution to helping people understand complex developments and encouraging them to take responsibility and stand up for what they believe in. We sincerely thank you for the inspiring conversation and wish you continued success in your important work.
About the author
Kinga Bartczak advises, coaches and writes on female empowerment, new work culture, organizational development, systemic coaching and personal branding. She is also the managing director of UnternehmerRebellen GmbH and publisher of the FemalExperts magazine .
