Group-focused enmity (Gruppenbezogene Menschenfeindlichkeit, GMF) is definied as the stigmatization, marginalization, and degradation of people due to attributed or chosen affiliations with a certain social group. Group-focused enmity can express itself in the form of xenophobia, racism, ableism, anti-Semitism, sexism, homophobia* and transphobia, Islamophobia, classism, etc.¹ The Institute for Interdisciplinary Research on Conflict and Violence at Bielefeld University (IKG) studies the phenomenon in a seperate research cluster and has been carrying out cross-sectional studies on group-focused enmity in Germany since 2002.² GMF is based on an “ideology of inequality” ³ which, according to the researchers at the IKG, is not a phenomenon found only at the extreme edge of the political spectrum, but is a broad, widely shared opinion among the German population.⁴ How can group-focused enmity express itself in a course?

GMF is often associated with violent or openly aggressive behavior, but can, of course, also be expressed more subtly. From our student survey, in which students can report discrimination in JGU’s teaching and learning context, we know that students experience group-focused enmity in a university context, as well. This can be expressed in the classroom in the form of:

  • pejorative, derogatory, generalized, or discriminatory statements towards them, fellow students or social groups in general;
  • marginalization of fellow students when completing group work;
  • stigmatizing and stereotypical statements in presentations or papers;
  • circulation of comments expressing stereotypes;
  • claiming the privileges of the established;
  • instrumentalization of, for example, equality issues;
  • hate speech on social media;
  • provocative contributions superficially concealed as good fun;
  • the promotion of topics and discussions which can be used as a platform for corresponding contributions;
  • neo-Nazi symbols or clothing;
  • Othering (creating differences and distance to social groups)
  • insults, threats, aggressive or violent behavior.

Every case is different and therefore, your reaction should be different depending on severity and form of expression. For members of teaching staff, it is important for you to first get an overview of the different forms of group-focused enmity. As a preventative measure, you can make clear in your courses that you actively support a respectful coexistence. It can be a good idea to refer to the resolutions on tolerance at the university adopted by the Senate in 2008, JGU’s diversity offers, or the different positions of the German Rectors’ Conference. It can also be helpful to make the confrontation with group-focused enmity a topic with colleagues and ask about others’ experiences and practical approaches. Ignoring or trivializing problematic comments or events in your courses is not the right way to react. Depending on the situation, you need to decide whether you will address the relevant behavior immediately or later in a one-on-one conversation; question derogatory statements; enter into a critical discourse about problematic contributions; argumentatively refute points made; show solidarity with the attacked person; or whether sanctions are necessary. The right words cannot always be found, but even speechlessness or bewilderment due to comments or behaviors that cross the line can be formulated. You can find information and helpful recommendations for courses of action regarding destructive discussion strategies and polemic argumentative patterns in these publications (in German):

The Equality and Diversity Office is happy to help and offers individual advising and support. In cases of aggressive and violent behavior, please contact the Unit for Security, Transport, and Traffic (phone. 06131 39 22345)