Growing up Black in Nazi Germany - Esther Anumu Fordham

[@The72650]

As Esther's son, I would like to congratulate Frank on his "timely" video of my mother's life "Growing up Black in Nazi Germany." She gives a heartwarming account of her journey in the face of evil and destruction: For me, it reinforces our innate goodness and illustrates the "timely" need for all human beings to strive to develop a Universal Human consciousness that transcends being of color and stateless,-(citizen without a country) in a world polarized by good and evil!

[@peteg1114]

Fascinating life she led - I didn't get too many opportunities to ask my grandmother about those times but I really enjoyed listening to Esther.

[@nancyhicksgribble9799]

She's adorable. Fascinating story.

[@earlwright9715]

Well I just love your sweet mother! Are all of you in Germany now?

[@junocomm]

I'm so glad your mother was able to share her story. She went through a lot. It's seldom that the stories of black people get told, let alone black people in Nazi Germany. I'm thankful to hear her experience.

[@mall6224]

I'm so glad I was able to hear her story. Thank you

[@lutchbizin6420]

She didn't experience color prejudice in Nazi Germany. It must have been shocking for her and her family to arrive in the US and feel color segregation.

[@shedreamsbigfunches931]

@@cain1830 there was racism and it was because of her skin it was just done on an individual basis , they didn't have citizenship , because the population of color was so small that they did not need large scale programs.

[@ichbinich1775]

@@shedreamsbigfunches931 Yes. And maybe it has to do with the German rationality that the undertone in conversations of discriminating remarks are overheard. And after a certain time the people get to know you better and nothing but kind. Here for example Werner Herzog: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o2qzkKaulsaAgKc

[@ichbinich1775]

01:07:42

[@raejae5491]

The rise of Hitler is evident of the racism that existed before he took power. He was supported by racist citizens.

[@xornxenophon3652]

@@raejae5491 Yeah, that is true, but German racism was mostly directed against jews and gypsies and gay people and other minorities that were there in larger numbers. Black people were more of a curiosity in Germany in the 1930s, akin to a unicorn or a pink elephant. Therefore, the government and most people did not have a negative view regarding black people. They simply had not much experience regarding black people. The government did not care for those few people. So it can that one country is behaving deeply racist toward one minority (like jews) while simply not caring much about other minorities. Facist Italy, for example, was less racist than Germany in the 1930s. Moussolini simply did not care that much about race; for him, being italian was a way of live instead of something you were born into...

[@siggydavis]

I had the pleasure of having met this incredible woman here in Berlin years ago.We shared Thanksgiving and Chritmas ..She was an extraordinary Spirit. Regal, royal and refined a presence to behold. I'm so grateful for the this documentation of her story.Blessings and Gratitude!

[@MADNEWYORKER914]

Do you know if she is still alive???

[@siggydavis]

@@MADNEWYORKER914 Hi, Mrs.Fordham is no longer with us from what I was told.She has a lovely granddaughter carrying on her legacy...Her daughter's story is also really interesting too..3 generations of exceptional ladies..

[@MADNEWYORKER914]

@@siggydavis She was a beautiful lady!!!

[@thegoddessdiana9185]

@@siggydavis May she rest in peace, love, and strength.

[@misst.e.a.187]

@@siggydavis Lived to the ripe old age of 94. What a lady.

[@christopherbailey5163]

almost all black Germans said the exact same thing, they never really experienced racism under the nazis but they got a up close and personal experience in the USA, my grandma said the exact same thing and she lived in Germany during the nazi era and she went on about her daily life without hassles

[@badnewsbrown4489]

So why do the media say 1million blacks were gassed by nazis and they wanted to kill the blacks too 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@abdulahsan3121]

your grandma was black?

[@Panguman]

@@badnewsbrown4489 who owns the media

[@cay820]

Plenty of Black people ended up in concentration camps so I don’t get this assumption.

[@winstonwhiteside9525]

And after the Nazis had exterminated the Jews, were they going to allow Black people to live in Germany "without hassles"? At least in the United States, there was no planned genocide of Blacks or Jews. Furthermore, you seem to be forgetting that in 1937, Hitler ordered that all of the Rhineland Blacks be sterilized as part of the nazi eugenics program. That's hardly living one's "daily life without hassles"!

[@rosalynmartin519]

My mom lived in Germany (military child) in the 50's and said the only racism she faced was from the Americans stationed nearby.

[@BlancoToldYou]

Same here i lived there 5yrs and never had a problem..

[@mariafalade1158]

Rosalyn Martin my brother is a Vietnam vet. The only time he got really hurt was when he was stationed in Germany for two years before going to Vietnam. He unknowingly went into a “segregated” bar for American soldiers and his fellow American soldiers beat him up. So, I am not surprised at her account. Fascinating.

[@rosalynmartin519]

@@mariafalade1158 yes it is fascinating. My mother almost got kicked out of Germany when another student (white girl) called her the n word and hit my mother, my mom slapped her back and the military intervened and arrested my mom (cause she was black). The German kids that witnessed the incident stood up for my mother in court and the number of witnesses were the only reason she and my family didn't get kicked out of the military and Germany. Sadly not much has changed in the last 60+ years. God bless us all

[@StormGIJane]

Sounds right. Heck there are more swastikas here in America and its illegal in Germany. Go figure...

[@MrGreenGreenie]

@@cain1830 that was south of Hamburg I’m sure she said

[@cestlavie1324]

I really enjoyed Esther’s life story. My 81 year old white Mother is French and she married my Black American father in France in1956, he was in the US Army & stationed in her tiny French village of Angevillers. In 1958 they arrived in the USA as a married couple with my brother (blond hair w/ green eyes & white skin) and my Mother recounted the same story that she new nothing of the racism and segregation that existed in the USA. There was no such thing in Europe.... prejudice due to race. My Black father hadn’t told her. She found out later that is why they arrived in Manhattan, NY instead moving to the tiny racist, segregated town of Wilson, North Carolina where my father was from. Young love can endure and survive anything! They are still married to this day October 2020. 63 years later

[@lydiadoumon6781]

Bravo Bravo we need more of these stories Esther could my great untie, I"m togolese canadian Love always Lydia

[@karolkupec2044]

Linda Simmons Racism in Europe is quite strong to this day is my experience.

[@cestlavie1324]

Yes, @Karol Kupec , I do know racism is strong in Europe currently.... I suspect it is and never will be as bad as the US. In my experience growing up and visiting Europe and my family in France and traveling in Europe as an adult I have experienced ”Nationalism” as a bias more so than racism of black -vs-white. I’m sure your experience of racism living there is much worse then mine as an educated, bi-racial, tri-lingual American woman visiting as a tourist. I just wanted to recount my Black American Father’s and White French Mother’s experience in France in the 50’s and 60’s, compared to Esther’s experience in Germany in the 40’s and 50’s as a Black German as they were recounted similarly. Many Black Jazz musicians and actors chose Paris, France as their home because they were not discriminated against and were accepted and loved contrary to living in the USA during the 1930’s onwards. ✌️✌🏻✌🏼✌🏽✌🏾✌🏿

[@ThairishTimes]

Fantastic story

[@189hosp6]

Thanks for sharing your story...good to hear that your parents are still doing well.

[@TheGothGaming]

well Jesse Owens did say that he didn't feel snubbed by Hitler, but rather his own president. take that as you will.

[@nagihangot6133]

@John Creighton Owens had a picture shaking hands with the German leader. He said so himself.

[@nagihangot6133]

@John Creighton You fucking people and your endless lies, lies to me and other children in the history classrooms, lies about what government leadership stands for. Your days are numbered and not another hour will be added.

[@misskim2058]

Hitler actually wrote a personal congrats to him, too.

[@cheikhtidianesow9816]

Racism is worst in America than every in world in America 80% are racist supremacist kkk and Nazis

[@Glumbus1]

@OligarchySlayer i heard that hitler shook his hand BUT it was for propaganda purposes

[@juanzulu1318]

German here. This an EXTREMELY interesting interview with lots of unknown details for me.

[@juanzulu1318]

@@HSena-u5t yes, you have good and bad people in every society.

[@kinikahau]

Sadly, Germany was divided after ww2...

[@RadicalforGod]

Esther Fordham is a great story teller. Her memory is sharp and she looks good for her age. Rest in power 1925-2019 ❤️

[@belindaramirez-leon9226]

yes she looks great

[@Sparky75100]

Thank you Mrs. Fordham for your testimony and warnings.

[@dassehmc]

Right she looked great

[@nikkidotts1279]

Wow!! She lived a long, good life❤️

[@ownSystem]

Great story teller. (Rest in Peace).

[@Dashslapp]

What a witness to history this lady is. She is a treasure

[@absolutelywiseman556]

YES !!!! SHE`s a TRUE treasure!

[@bellarmino4406]

A "Fundgrube" indeed.

[@FlaMan991]

right.... get real

[@510fitness3]

She faced less racists prejudice in Germany than USA smh

[@marvelluslucass3662]

Man that is so true

[@DesmondDaddy]

In Nazi Germany she was better off being of African descent than if she were of Jewish descent. Think about that for a minute.

[@misutasutanto6312]

@@DesmondDaddy there is no Jewish descent you effing idiot lol

[@raymond06]

FYI kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppTJgYmgataFZ6c

[@DesmondDaddy]

Misutasutanto the German Jews were not Jews by ethnicity?

[@bond007jinxie6]

I came here from a post on Threads where under that post posted about Mrs Fordham story so much history we were never taught I thank you for this lesson & I thank her for sharing the joy in her smiles even when everything around her was falling apart I’m not 😢 but this is why we must all continue to just appreciate life & the lessons of the elders THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU ❤❤

[@cmcmahon8551]

I love this woman, I know she has passed but I wish I was her friend and could spend lots of time together. She is remarkable.

[@jsotirakis]

The National Socialists in Germany abolished public schools just like the Socialists in our teacher’s unions want to do here

[@easydoesit62]

Totally agree. I wish I could have known her. I’m more ashamed every day of our history of racism in the US.

[@cynthiarobinson-powe5465]

@@jsotirakis 2

[@Iceageonmars]

Passed what?

[@ecuadorexpat8558]

I am German and grew up right after Hitler in the ruins of my city...This womans Story moves me to the Core ..God bless her

[@BrutPequ]

Same here. My father was born the same year as Esther and to hear her story provides me with a very different perspective. He passed away in May.

[@hershellacey9405]

She is a treasure. PBS are you listening?

[@rasheedahtalib2361]

@Scott Norris Scott, things are changing rapidly. The human spirit is rising rapidly. We're waking up with the reminder that we're one race. Women are organizing all over the world!!! Trust me, you've the right idea. Love, share love. That's the key! Everyone will not appreciate it or you but trust me, More will embrace you with great appreciation then not. 👍

[@hershellacey9405]

Ken Burns are you listening?

[@hershellacey9405]

This story needs to be told to the world.

[@NYisconstipated]

I could listen to her speak for hours...her voice is so soothing. Such a strong spirit bless you Esther and peaceful Journey

[@Mikec19]

Riiight. Me too. She has such a sweet spirit.

[@timmillan6701]

I have never heard of a personal account of a black person or family in Nazi Germany. I must say that this is an extraordinary account- it must be preserved for humanity eternally.

[@Philemaphobia]

@daysRnumbered which country or region did you go to school to?

[@WoofyMcDoodle]

@CannonFodder what kind of narrative do you mean?

[@destinyclark4133]

@@WoofyMcDoodle Well here in America we were taught that Nazi Germans discriminated against anyone who wasn’t Hitler’s standard of the “perfect race” meaning white with blond hair and blue eyes. So we were under the impression that blacks , as well as people from any other ethnic group, were treated with the same hatred as the Jews.

[@lucianaromulus1408]

​@@WoofyMcDoodle narrative surrounding National Socialism

[@honey77777]

I grew up in Germany (military family) as a child and throughout all my teen years and the only racism I can recall to have experienced there were from the other Americans I went to school with. edit: I lived off base with the exception of the last 4 years of me living there in hs. I attended a German International school prior and most of my family, friends, and baby-sitters were German for those asking. And yes, I am non mixed black American woman. *I am speaking from my own experience. yes racism exists but I was fortunate enough to not have a negative experience with local Germans and my heart goes out to those who did.

[@ReisePiece]

I believe it

[@freemn]

But the German people are supposed to be some of the most warlike and racist Europeans. But she was treated better in 1940's Germany than Blacks in the USA. Should black solders have defected in mass to the German side? Did any Black soldier fight for the Germans?

[@babsjob8729]

@@freemn the most racist europeans are by far italians and french don’t get you fooled

[@chiaras6019]

@@babsjob8729 I mean I’m italian but that’s fair. as the new generation we’re trying our best to become less racist but you wouldn’t believe how hard it is to get rid of something that’s been shoved into your mind since you were born. I feel very ashamed of the racism my country’s known for but I swear to god we’re trying to make it better

[@andrewc8441]

@@freemn there were some black regiments in the wermacht but not the ss. There were also Russian French Indian regiments and even a very small British free corps they used whatever men they could.

[@dimazandhika]

The point is she is lucky born in germany than in the US back then.

[@franciskaafka2738]

Sad truth.

[@ginolatino3555]

Is it any better today.? My friend is an English teacher in Germany. Being alive to tomorrow never comes across his thoughts. Not the same for the bruthas in the States who have fought in all amerikkkas silly wars, for what? To b 3rd class when they get back home

[@eugenieholmes5769]

Even now

[@dimazandhika]

Nothing changes she's lucky already. The funny things In 1939 america already closing the door for jews refugee how many been killed afterward? Palestinean people accepting with warm welcomed what happens to them right now? Lol.

[@purpledancer4914]

So true

[@Fedmarti88]

21:04 “the whole family survived”. It is a miracle! God bless them.

[@reginakniprode246]

my family from Prussia was not so lucky, almost all were exterminated after 1945

[@dancewomyn1]

What an intriguing story. The whole time, I was wondering why she decided to come to America, especially when her marriage didn't seem to bring her much happiness. It must have been a bit of a shock to come from a place where being black did not hold the same charge as it did here in the U.S. I am so happy to see the update, that she finally left the US and returned to her home, and now travels around the world. Wishing her all happiness. A lovely person.

[@rovhalt6650]

It's about the numbers. One or two people from a different continent poses no threat to the native population. But when thousands show up, that's when a strife for natural resources (women, jobs) occur and racial division happens. It's very unusual for populations to tolerate foreigners of a large enough quantity to pose a threat to their own ethnic future.

[@ReadyorNot811]

​@@rovhalt6650 true

[@benevolent2077]

are you stupid? germany is a horrible country. clearly u are slow. america is what germany wish it became

[@fahnrzsstichling9652]

@@rovhalt6650 Thats a very fitting analysis i would say yes

[@TestOk-de5dj]

@@rovhalt6650 it's just when (at least i think so) 10% of new foreigners doing crimes, than the other 90% good foreigners who just want a home and work without being a trouble to anyone are put in the same wardrobe. 10% from 100 000 are 10 000 bad foreigners and native people feel that more crimes than before the immigrants were here now happens. I think the hate would stop very fast, when criminal foreigners/immigrants would just instantly be kicked out for crimes where they molest or assault someone. *If you don't behave like a civilized human being you are throwing away your right for peace and a better life in this country* Get their finger prints and kick them out for good. When this will happen i think we would see in a year already that immigrants/foreigners are also just normal humans like us and didn't want to be an inconvenience for us. (I know there would still be some racist idiots, but who cares for them, let them be if they only trash talk) But that's just my thoughts.

[@billlincoln6087]

Whe I was a child in the early sixties, i recall the old Black soldiers say how much they loved Germany, and only left because they were under orders, and now sorry they never did return.

[@franzvoss4808]

I had the same experience in the early nineties with a lot of them, as well as with the Latinos that had been based there.👍

[@abbelnichola3792]

Back in 60s, Germany was the only country in Europe that welcomes asylum seeking people from Africa ,Ethiopia. Back on those days All Ethiopian Royal police force vehicles was nothing but a German made automobiles fleets through out Ethiopia.

[@mant8vaei314]

@mark q awesome poor you

[@francisdietz5197]

@mark q awesome you need help

[@halcasey3461]

Exactly 💯

[@amandathamage4883]

Sorry but the gentleman interviewing Esther is trying hard find nothing. She did not experience racism in a way black people did in USA. Bless you Esther

[@zackerythomas3675]

I agree with you. He wanted some sort controversy. There is no need to be sorry about your comment.

[@lucknowtroop]

Exactly..he must be surprised by it

[@Kj16V]

I didn't hear any sort of 'agenda' from the interviewer; seemed to me he was just asking questions to hear her experience. Didn't try to put words in her mouth, just let her speak and tell her story.

[@aaronblaylock2092]

I think he was asking based on what he knew or was told about Germany at that time and it was good that he did ask those kind of questions because it gabe her a chance to give insight to what it was really like and what the people in her world were like compared to what has been shown in movies and rumors.

[@rangerrick7729]

@TheDay Cometh Various tribes sold prisoners of war into slavery. Just because you’re offended by the fact that Germany didn’t treat their black citizens as less than human (less than animals, really) in the way the US did, it doesn’t negate the fact that those who participated in the slave trade were selling prisoner least of war nor their own people. Oh, let’s not forget who bought them. Nice try. You can stay mad, tho. 🥳

[@corymoore1530]

This woman is a limited edition true national treasure. Don't know how I got here , but I'm Glade I did.

[@usedbyjesus]

*glad

[@ellenweiss5850]

what a wonderful women

[@dcnisey]

The KZbin rabbit hole is how you got here. 😂

[@ellenweiss5850]

me too

[@nadinehanchar1752]

Absolutely!

[@peskycat]

This was a touching story. I’m very grateful to have come across it. My mother grew up in Hamburg as a child during the war. I can’t help but wonder if she might have crossed paths with this lady during that time. I loved hearing her speak - she sounded just like my grandmother. It gave me a warm feeling to hear that accent again. Schlaf wohl liebe frau.

[@zakadams762]

I'm so glad she made this personal account of her youth in Germany, many people would be afraid to offer information that creates the real and conflicted image of the past. Its great to get the good and bad of history, so we can be better informed about the present

[@shumeister1059]

Life is usually messy involving good and bad.

[@dootersnooter5343]

Yes. This reminds me of the danger of the single story and fights against a single almost comercialized narraive and instead gives an objective personalized account of how things happened.

[@courtneykirk478]

Excellent.

[@KB-es5he]

This lady has such poise. She's a beautiful soul - and an inspiration to us all.

[@renataostertag6051]

Yes, she sure is. She is so forthright, so pure.

[@jeanettereynolds3151]

She was brought up with dignity because she never had radicalism rammed down her throat happy she returned to her beloved germany

[@TheBatugan77]

@@jeanettereynolds3151 She reminds me of my now resting elders. In the nicest warmest way. Her years are many, her perspective unique and her wisdom earned through the years. We need to listen.

[@jeanettereynolds3151]

@@TheBatugan77 than you I am u.k and it is4 am lol. You must be America thank you.

[@mauricemond8579]

@@renataostertag6051 ¹qq¹qqiqas Q ad qQ q¹¹aetweqqàà

[@tobeme4054]

I love ❤️ this BLACK Queen being interviewed. Smart , beautiful and thoughtful.

[@Fortwelly]

This interview is among the absolute best I’ve seen since I’ve been roaming the net. This reminds me of the fact that your socialization as a child makes you who you are as an adults. Despite her color/race, this ladies life experience prior to migration was so far removed from those of us on this side of the pond. A certain sense of innocence was always there to the point of naivety. It’s fascinating to hear first hand from an actual Afro German who lived in that time about the fact that blacks in some weird way had it better than some other lighter complected groups. The flip side of that is that many of the so called liberators who were over there ostensibly to free the world of oppression and tyrany, were treating people who looked just like this lady as if the were worse than dogs. I’m happy that she actually got to a point where she understood the animus towards caucasians meted out by her American in laws. Lovely lady. May she RIP

[@Abi-or6hn]

The best comment on the best interview

[@cadicorniche]

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for posting this video. I am a Black man, in my mid-60s, and learning about Blacks living in Germany before, during and after the war - which I never knew, was mind altering. I praise you and Esther Fordham for opening my eyes. (Which, I assume, was the whole purpose of the video.) Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. We ALL have much to learn.

[@paulolenski9431]

You and me both, buddy. Glad I found this little gem of humanity, kindness and wisdom.

[@princessbenson3008]

This should be a book

[@helloxonsfan]

*Yes! This is a remarkable story & video & Esther was a remarkable person...!!! Her story really should be shared on a larger platform such as a movie, so many more people could be aware of it.* #TylerPerry, #OprahWinfrey #StevenSpielberg, #WillSmith, #EstherFordham, #NaziGermany

[@Richelle-ss2gk]

So-called blacks were indigenous to every land in this world, we ain't from afrikka, do some research the info is out now. Negroes ruled the world

[@CorntwallLipstickQueen]

Open your eyes to what? So you support genocide ok

[@glamsky3257]

She must be in her 70s in this interview, but she has a young woman voice. Like woman in her 20s.

[@sadietravels6213]

I agree, Esther was 70 years old at the time of her interview in 1995. Based on the information she disclosed, she was probably born around 1925,. She did sound younger than her age.

[@egolf5089]

Because its fake, I live in Germany, and my grandma didn't see a black person till the US army came to the town during the war.

[@CClarinet123]

@@egolf5089 So, according to your statement, because your "grandma" didn't see a black person until the end of the war, there were no black people in Germany at all? Makes so much sense, lol.

[@PandaBebe]

@@egolf5089 just cause your grandma didn't see one didn't mean that black people lived in germany. Stop being ignorant

[@tayloralliease8013]

@@egolf5089 Your statement sounds very ignorant , just because your granny didn't see black people does not mean they're wasn't any .

[@sarsbrooks5398]

THIS IS BETTER THAN TV - SHE'S BLACK - SHE'S GERMAN - AND - SHE CAN TELL US LIFE SHE EXPERIENCED UNDER ADOLF HITLER... - WHAT A INFORMATIVE DOCUMENTARY

[@teemarie5478]

I find extremely interesting that they weren’t treated as bad as the gypsies, Jewish, and many other people. I find it very interesting that they weren’t treated worse than what she is describing.

[@rollingthunder8223]

​@@teemarie5478Hitler had the same plan for black as the gypsies

[@gnommg]

There were few black people, so they weren't in the authorities' focus. Hamburg also had a more open society because it was a merchant town. The children of French African colonial soldiers who occupied the Rhineland were treated very badly.

[@futuretimetraveller8677]

@@gnommg those children of african colonial soldiers were black ...and there were more black people in germany at that time than gypsies for sure from ww1 alone so ...germans just were not as rabidly hateful of black people as the white people in the u.s are the only other place like the u.s. in this respect was old south africa the nazis DID however force some black people to be sterilized

[@Cienfuegos_100Fires]

Wayy better than TV. This is so good. The mainstream media is run by people who are

[@lacroix6323]

Her story is to be treasured for those who take the time to listen. Thank you for this 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@PianistStefanBoetel]

I can hear her Hamburg accent even if she speaks English as I am coming from Hamburg. A touching story, thank you! So pretty! 31:24

[@Bratwurstboy]

Ich bin Inder, aber seit 2 jahren, studiere ich in Hamburg, and i was able to realize this as well, She speaks just like all my neighbors.

[@PianistStefanBoetel]

@Joe How would you put the words correctly?

[@_--Reaper--_]

@@PianistStefanBoetel Like this: _"I can hear her Hamburg accent even though she speaks English, as I am also from Hamburg."_

[@cheriehawthorne9246]

@@_--Reaper--_ I understand the correction but his statement is perfectly coherent.

[@_--Reaper--_]

@@cheriehawthorne9246 I know its minor but he asked how to correctly put it.

[@membear]

Such a lovely woman and so wise too.

[@markb5478]

Great Story and a great Human.

[@sirisongbird]

"Wise". Would you say that if she was white?

[@kealebogamolo6685]

@@sirisongbird Yes. Wisdom comes with age and experience not skin colour. I'm sure we all know that. Why wouldn't they say she's wise if she was white, Asian, latina, attack chopper?

[@pix_d20]

@@sirisongbird what point are you trying to make here? 🤔

[@pix_d20]

@@kealebogamolo6685 i agree so much.

[@Hotcakes627]

God bless Ester , she never experienced hatered till she came to America . That is pathetic . She was Such a loving person . It must have Been horrifieing for her . What a wonderful women .

[@zootsoot2006]

Yep, turns out history is far more complicated that we were taught to believe.

[@KayInMaine]

She was discriminated against in Germany when she and her sisters were told they couldn't go to school or go to sports games etc.

[@spacewalker4829]

Jesse Owens wasn't snubbed by Hitler. He was by president Roosevelt however.

[@sh393]

Shhhh. You're destroying the whole White Supremacist thing.

[@PharoahTheGoldX]

She experienced hatred in America as well.

[@ardevenuta37]

Hands down, riveting. It's the best story I've ever heard. I am amazed. This is a great find. I loved this lady after the first sentence.

[@cedricfreeman6458]

I stumbled onto this video whilst doing some cooking. I just placed my device on it's stand and kept on going. So riveting. This lady had a way of speaking. Her accent kept me into the account. To the videographer. Thanks.

[@jermins6441]

As a Black Canadian living in Canada 🇨🇦 we never get to hear stories from Black People who survived Nazi Germany. This woman is a beautiful lady and her story deserves to be shared. That said I am grateful to have stumbled across this fascinating piece. God Bless her and her family. I have learned a huge piece of Black History from her.

[@TriniCrew]

@Kevin Simmons BLACK HISTORY IN REGARDS TO PROSPECTIVE!

[@omertathecode9571]

My Grandfather who is Somali fought in ww2 for the Italian regiments. He got awarded the war merit cross. Somalia was part of the Italian Colony at the time.

[@wick7201]

Kevin Simmons The only moron here is you.

[@jermins6441]

@Kevin Simmons, it's obvious that you lack the intelligence to understand the context of this conversation. You are welcome to spread your ignorance elsewhere eh M8. Have an amazing life my friend. Bless you and God help those whom you influence. Smh.

[@salzb9735]

"Never get to hear"? These stories are available for reading across the free world - as books, documentaries, online resources. People have to find the interest to know more; nothing is stopping people from learning more. She gives one story, but the full story has many darker chapters,

[@blacknemsis2456]

It's funny how the interviewer is getting frustrated that she isn't saying bad things about German society during them days.

Germany is one of the worst for this kind of sociomasturbatory auto-flagellation that has gripped the western world.

[@eman2382]

I agree.

[@Victor-ly1cj]

I watched the whole thing and I didn't see where he was frustrated. sometimes he looks a bit intrigued but that's it.

[@blacknemsis2456]

@@Victor-ly1cj It was in his voice and questions

[@Victor-ly1cj]

@@blacknemsis2456 exactly, he was intrigued. is understandable why he would be confused/surprised about the reality of black germans in that period. I really don't think this documentary was made to shed a bad light on german people

[@kushking420]

Sounds like living in the USA was scarier for her than living in Germany through the war

[@rednil2943]

No doubt. Which was why she "didn't ever feel comfortable here", and why she later returned to Germany. It's good to know that her mother's decendents did not suffer the demise of women in the us did

[@HelIish]

this is the reason why the rest of the world doesn't like Americans they just "pretend" when they are around

[@decklan887]

It's really interesting how you're only able to debate on who was more racist, from all the information given here.

[@kushking420]

@@decklan887 I never said that

[@decklan887]

@@kushking420 my reply wasn't referring to you. It's for the other individuals who replied.

[@martinketteridge2710]

A quite incredible woman and not the kind of story that many of us who obtain our knowledge and information in the west, have ever heard before. I am glad to know that she went back home for her final years, completing the circle of life, inspirational. Great effort Frank Fitzgerald, for bringing this to us.

[@brunol-p_g8800]

This kind of story is not rare to hear in the West, especially here in Europe. May I ask from which country you are ? I wouldn’t be surprised if your answer is the USA.

[@soulergy1soulrgy1]

She has such a pure heart that it gives her an aura of innocence, after all the hardships of life she still has no hate for others. I am happy she went back to a better life.

[@nirbija]

"back to a better life" among ghoulish germans? lol "back to a better life" of ignorance/non-caring? Not only did the ghouslish germans holocausted the jews, they ALSO 'practiced' holocausting African people in Namibia just a few short decades before! Having "aura of innocence" and "no hate" are fine qualities; but ignorance is never fine. "no hate" can, and should, coexist with knowledge.

[@myfavoritelezbo767]

I felt that too. I struggle with my response to hate, she really is an inspiration to those of us that are still working on our spirits

[@ngbeat1616]

@@nirbija Black American by any chance?

[@nirbija]

@@ngbeat1616 Hope you are not hinting and implying that only your "Black American" can realize/recognize history and Truth when they are as plain as day?

[@ayhamshaheed7740]

@@ngbeat1616 they didn’t say anything wrong to be honest

[@Emy53]

Good point...not recognizing she was discriminated upon, helped her survive. What a beautiful soul. She never felt they were treating her differently.

[@leonidascarr2241]

She recognized you are saying good point cause u are one of those closet racist that will say blk folk do better to over look or forget! We say *Reparations and land are Due U.S. Blk's the original Jews!

[@leonidascarr2241]

@h_grunt any form of racism is that of Monsters! Stop placating, u sound like her

[@maritzadavila-irizarry6267]

I disagree it was not like in the USA but still she suffered discrimination. She was not able to go to many places.

[@LaLagunz187]

As a kid my black family and I were stationed in Germany with the us army back in the 80’s. It was the best placed I’ve ever lived. I didn’t want to leave. They love Black people, adore diversity. They treated us so amazing. The people were the best.

[@TheBLACKMQQN]

I can vouch for your comment. My father was stationed there as well In the late 70s early 80s at Bitburg Air force base

[@le7mule21]

@@TheBLACKMQQN I was stationed at Bitburg Germany and I had a great time. The only problem I had was with the americans not the germans

[@christophermattheis1998]

@@le7mule21 go back or stop crying

[@lunalovegood6303]

If you ever stay in Hamburg youre invited to stay at my home ❤

[@BOOMSTICK-PRODUCTIONS]

@@christophermattheis1998 what is your purpose?

[@jjjmac2003]

What a beautiful, sad and interesting story. Thank you for posting this on KZbin.

[@cbowd]

Wow, what an absolute treasure. So glad this was recorded.

[@dtapx5835]

Interesting that she never knew real racism til she came into contact with Americans.

[@Juan-wh5le]

Besides the concentration camps????

[@sully3996]

@@Juan-wh5le she never went in one...

[@YTscheiss]

@@Juan-wh5le what is a concentration camp? Was that where this guy, the American president Adolf Hitler concetrated Haunebus? It's all so confusing.

[@kelvyquayo]

Did you not watch the actual interview then?

[@smittywerben3895]

@@Juan-wh5le Labor camps. Not racist. Read a book. Every other nation also had labor camps.

[@chesneyhawkesinofficial3742]

I understand what she told about being rather unwelcomed in Southern Germany: "it was not about my skin colour, but about "being not from here"". Even today, many rural bavarians are mistrusting or at least skeptic towards people from northern Germany. Saupreißn!

[@sztypettto]

Agreed. Lower Saxons don't like Bavarians and vice versa. Plenty of Germans cringe when Laderhosen, Drindle and Oktoberfest is associated with German identity.

[@DrakesdenChannel]

@@sztypettto You should come to Croatia. Croatia is about 5x more diverse than Germany, and when I from northern Croatia hear about how people think I live next to the sea, well, it makes me feel they aren't talking about my identity at all.

[@bonkisay1331]

So true. Almost everybody here in North Germany despite the Bavarians. Schluchtenscheißer we call them 😁. And nobody understands them. Horrible dialect.

[@cjlooklin1914]

@@bonkisay1331 My German is really bad. I haven't practiced since college but if my translation is correct,, you call people from Bavaria "Canyons of Shit" XD

[@Mawi331]

This comment is so true! Everyone who is not from there. I'm from Berlin and my friend moved there and the other people at school asked her how she was able to stand all of the foreigners in berlin! When their class came to visit Berlin they were always complaining about how dirty it is and shitty it supposedly is here. Once someone there came back with a tan from vacation they would comment that they look like a disgusting n-word. When she was about to move back to Berlin years later (naturally under these circumstances) one of her former employers there even tried to tell her that there are so many foreigners in Berlin that they were already building new concentration camps and that that was a good thing! This was 4 years ago in the Bavarian forrest and most of the family have made plans to move back as they all experienced bullying for being from Berlin

[@d.chimambadugha4864]

Bill, I enjoyed listening to your mother and her candid experiences in Germany and America. Glad she made it back to Germany and looked happier in her nineties.

[@tlv6666]

When jesse Owens went to Germany he was treated better there than at any time in USA. Read his own words if you doubt it. When he went back to America he arrived at the hotel to pick his medals up and had to go in the service elevator because he wasn't allowed in the guests lift . Watch the greatest story never told instead of Hollywood if you want to learn something

[@jordanon95]

I was going to say this...... You beat me to it because I was at work all day today!!!! I watched tgsnt on KZbin before they took it off but brought it for £40 so I can show my children that we are being lied to!

[@obwhankanobee1923]

Yeah ok....the Nazi's treated Jesse so great ....I dont think so.......for sure many Black people were not treated well in their own land, however, the Nazi's were never, ever "fair or nice people" and their policies were evil.....pure and simple.....

[@batorsagandszerelem4474]

USA was a fucked up country. Still is, now that I come to think of it...

[@murdamooch]

Good thing he wasn't also Jewish I guess

[@johnbog1143]

@@obwhankanobee1923 They let him stay in a Hotel in the center of Berlin, he admitted he was treated better in Germany than in the U.S

[@joshuak2810]

Hatred just spews more hatred. I cant wait for the day to come when we all view eachother as brothers and sisters. Black, White, German, Polish, Christian, Muslim, etc. We allow evil to thrive in the world through politics and hateful people. God bless Esther. Glad you made it through.

[@wisguen]

HAHA dang brother, have you been drinking?

[@staywoke3316]

Lol

Humans segregate one another. It's in our DNA. On the day we all have the same skin colour and all look and sound the same... we will still find something to oppress each other over.

[@servantofthelord25]

👐👐👐

[@1963luv]

So true Joshua

[@rosestewart8879]

I’m a black woman and I stayed in Holland for six years.And I never experienced the amount of racism that I experience here in my own country.The Dutch People seem to be more open and excepting to people of different races and different cultures.

[@thearmed1z]

The Dutch people are some of the most racist people in Europe.

[@stucker1214]

If you're not a threat as an ethnic group to the predominant population...

[@rickyt43515]

Nothing stopping you from living there if you dislike the USA

[@isorokudono]

Liar.

[@isorokudono]

@M Reid Canadians are super racist. Sorry. You're not really from there.

[@el_loote]

Hands down the most interesting, fascinating, impressive, heartbreaking hour I have ever experienced on KZbin. No Bling, just Bam. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful job, thank you.

[@Wolfspaule]

She is totally german, the cushions she has, the clock in the backround, exactly like my grandmothers!

[@zakrowe1301]

@Kabukichō she is German, she said at the start of the video she was born there

[@DougWinfield]

I suspect she was eventually granted German citizenship. Regardless of her status, she was culturally German.

[@zakrowe1301]

@Kabukichō how does it work then? When she was born in germany, did she not gain german Citizenship?

[@zakrowe1301]

@Kabukichō would you consider yourself african aswell then? And what does the US have to do with anything?

[@zakrowe1301]

@Kabukichō ethnicity, is your culture and traditions. She was born and raised in germany and therefore grew up in that culture, with their traditions and way of life. So yeah she is ethnically german.

[@wilhelmhesse1348]

Wow the magic of KZbin! This is one of the most amazing videos I've ever seen on KZbin. The best videos always have the fewest views. A real rare gem. Thanks so much for uploading this video, a lot of very useful information here!

[@taviaseymour]

I was born in Jamaica and moved to Germany in 1987, when I was 8. I had the best childhood!!

[@frederiklauber-richter1110]

how is this relevant?

[@Glumbus1]

@@frederiklauber-richter1110 who cares

[@taviaseymour]

@@frederiklauber-richter1110 Esther experienced more racism in the US than in Germany.

[@ronalde.mcknightcpc5542]

Thanks for sharing. I find it interesting that you grew up in Germany.

[@OSmith-yq5vb]

For those who dont know there were once a german community in jamaica in the parish of st James and Westmoreland to this day you can still find old german style of homes

[@krmccarrell]

A priceless, precious interview of this remarkable, extraordinary woman and her astonishing life story! Her warm and sweet voice, her countenance, are all contrary to the horror of the words she spoke. We are all enlightened by photos we have never seen, and history we have never quite known. Thank you so much for uploading this interview. However, for the man behind the camera, he did no great service to her by his constant interruptions. And now, especially now with her passing, we will never know the answers.

[@thequeenmidas]

I think I've seen another version without photos

[@EngelinZivilBO]

This is underrated!

[@anthovision7048]

Being african mixed with German blood I feel some type of way She is such a nice person and strong lovely black queen 👑

[@t-weezy2934]

And speak fluent English too

[@renaeholmes4348]

yes, i feel you.I am A ,G and part Cherokee

[@t-weezy2934]

@Robert Bowles how so ?

[@Grungus27]

Robert Bowles 😂 fucking loser

[@rutituti678]

@Robert Bowles I certainly know of one thing that's grotesque as I won't refer to you as a someone. Vile pig. Do you produce an oinking sound when you speak aloud?

[@swaggerjagg22]

I can imagine all the stories she is telling, is it just me? This should be a film

[@vxllzbeatz]

foreal this needs to be a film

[@awaliabaroroh8865]

Looking forward for it

[@endangerdenglish]

There is a difference between imagination and historical fact.

[@stacythunes1]

I would love to write it

[@LEbackstage]

This reminds me of my great-grandfather when he told us stories about the Third Reich and WW2. He lived through all of it as a white German, who had to fight in the war and later on had black grand- and great-grandchildren.

[@andrewDaMack]

What an incredible life she has lived. Her accent is beautiful, it's not a thick German accent as I would've expected. I'm thankful she gave this interview. We hardly hear the stories of other minorities in Hitler's Germany.

[@arlenetaylor2888]

Jesse Owens stayed in the best hotel and went to bars and restaurants during the Nazi Olympics. It must have been a real eye opener compared to his life back in America!

[@halcasey3461]

Yeah, the same eyopener that Jefferson's mistress had when she discovered freedom in France. What a shame she let him persuade her to come back to the USA.

[@kenhankin5073]

i have heard Owens said that Hitler shook his hand in private i

[@saxogrammatikus4195]

The SS had some black african members too. The nazis wear not so racist and more pragmatical. Most crazy stuff was from Himmlers Thule Cult but for Hitler and Goebbels this was silly.

[@addiction4062]

@@saxogrammatikus4195 Hitler was a lot more fanatical than Himmler as far as racism goes. Himmler just had his dumb pagan beliefs that everyone made fun of him for. The only one who wasnt fully into the race science was Göring and Dönitz nevertheless they still contributed to a deeply racist system. Just because they compromised their ideology for the sake of pragmatism doesnt mean that their initial ideology has changed.

[@saxogrammatikus4195]

@@addiction4062 I had not say there were equals but the genocide thing was only targeted on the jews. The Holocaust was only possible with the help of the citizens of france, poland, hungary and so one. If the axis had won we had mostly the system like vichy france. Hitler was not so powerfull at the time we like to think. His health was in decline and so his legitimity to power. If the was not the war he would have be replaced. You can see this like the Stauffenberg assassination attempt.

[@lindcobbs4615]

It's amazing how much we can learn from KZbin. This is true history that our young folks won't find in the white washed, one sided history books in school. Thank you for this informative documentary.

[@user-xd7bm4hg5i]

Yes you very right 😎

[@tommeredith7079]

You couldn't be more right about our lame history books in the United states that lightly touch on the facts that should be more forthcoming.

[@respjames590]

Well said mate

[@tommeredith7079]

@@respjames590 Thank you

[@brandondrew739]

White washed!

[@thornalas4385]

I knew Esther in the 90s from the Christian Community in NYC. We talked often after services and became friends. She was such a kind & beautiful soul, I was sad when she moved back to Germany. Good to see her again in this video and to remember her on this special Epiphany/Three Kings' Day in 2021. I grew up behind the Ironic Curtain, in what is called East Germany here in the US, under the rule of the SU.

[@kelvyquayo]

So glad to hear she knew The Lord🙏🏼 and I will meet this beautiful person in The Lord’s presence one day. This is the comment I was subconsciously looking for lol.

[@pamelaroderick6588]

how lucky you were to know her

[@thornalas4385]

@@pamelaroderick6588 Indeed, one of the warmest, kindest people I ever met, our conversations were full of sunlight, elevating, yet very calm. Thank you for this reminder!

[@jessiweintz7881]

Thank you for recording her experience. She is a beautiful soul. I truly enjoyed listening to her.

[@zb7293]

She is such sweet woman. God bless her.

[@senorswordfish6019]

*woman

[@SamuelLiebermann]

Three is no god

[@senorswordfish6019]

@@SamuelLiebermann *There

[@psalm91podcast]

This is the story I always wanted to produce. During my studies, I went to Frankfurt and tried to find books on the subject matter but was unsuccessful. Thank God someone made this project! Thank you for sharing your story Ms. Esther Fordham.

[@RegalNG]

She has such sweet voice for her age, and shes beautiful too.

[@thequeenmidas]

This is so interesting and fascinating. May she rest in everlasting power🙏🏾 My great grandfather was a black South African who served in the Red Cross during WW1, stationed in South West Africa (now Namibia) which was then a German colony until 1919. He eventually found himself in Germany during that time eventually returning to the South Africa before WW2 and the intensification of Apartheid in 1948. He spoke fluent German. He was born in 1895 and died at home in Soweto township, South Africa in 1992 when I was 17 years old. The story of Black Africans in Germany during the Great Wars reaches far and wide, and needs to be explored more fully. It only dawns on me now, later in my early 20s I landed up working at a German company based in South Africa, where I learned some German myself and was courted by a German expatriate who thought I was beautiful. Such serendipity.

[@Waldgxnger]

Wow thats an interessting story, never forget your ancestors!

[@virtualtransientvagrant]

Yes

[@dollynina8992]

Such a gentle soul, you can tell by the way she speaks. Bless you and rest in peace Esther Anumu Fordham.

[@EB2therescue]

Esther is a pure heart, thank you for this fabulous interview💖.

[@anagomez9620]

Both Bill and Frank , as a Catholic , I can confortable say your mother might be a saint literally!, she is an example of a human exposed to all lot of situations from her child hood to a wife with family situations and of course the Nazi experience, she taught me tolerance and forgiveness, not once did she use hate or foul words regarding people who hurt her . Her smile .... her soothing voice ..... the way she goes into memory lane and instead of hate she shows a sense of a mercy that you don’t see in 2020 , her eyes have a peace that you can’t buy or sign with a treaty , because she is a gifted human . So much love I am in tears and feel obligated to love more , because I want what she has PEACE, thank you , Blesssings! 🕊🌏🕊🌎🕊🌍🕊❤️

[@paulolenski9431]

Her gentle and wise voice was the key to the whole interview.

[@joaquincapiro8919]

Such a kind soul. I wish there were far more people like her in this world. It would be a much happier and joyful place. God bless her.

[@_Sisyphus]

This is the most fascinating interview I've ever heard. Incredible!

[@JGarcia77]

As a history teacher I found this video to be fascinating. I never knew very much about Black Germans during the Nazi era. Great documentary.

[@MADNEWYORKER914]

Because the education system in the U S. teaches a lot of lies and half @$$ history lessons, especially when it comes to true black history!!!

[@donnachatham1335]

drained You are corny as hell!!! Please stop with that silly as so called slang talk that nobody is talking.

[@yaminhaniyah2979]

I agree. I have always wanted to know if there were any blacks in Germany during WWII and what happened to them. How many in population. A total count and did any of them died.

[@andrewjosephdotson87]

This is truly an amazing story! Fascinating to learn from this amazing lady!!!

[@lauriesugar]

This is amazing interview- I have done a lot of research on world war 2 - and this is the first time I’m hearing about Africans in Germany during the war .. - she’s sounds like such a sweet and kind women ..❤

[@jeanpijeau8423]

Esther, Thanks for sharing your story. There’s nothing like a first hand account. You lived and had a front seat to a momentous occasion in World history. This is priceless.

[@starchild7370]

I love this story because they do not teach this in school. It's just amazing for so many reasons.

[@juniorchavesopicassodeyahu988]

Michael Jackson was right, the history books are lying to us

[@fy4370]

thats the thing victors write the history

[@Harrock]

What ? So nazis can say „Not everything was bad“ ? 😂😂😂

[@berk1569]

​@@Harrock nope this means bad people won the WW2.

[@deeznutz8320]

​@@HarrockThey were the good guys if you really aware yes

[@sgtpepper122]

With educational content like this, youngsters should never claim to be "bored". Theres so much to learn out there. This was very well put together.

[@Mayousse]

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@ChrisSanchez-wy7bz]

When you were a "youngster" yourself, you didn't wanna be learning all day with educational content so it's perfectly normal to be "bored" like you said

[@sgtpepper122]

@@ChrisSanchez-wy7bz No, I was that nerd walking out of the library with books under my arm. That was my web back in the days. So I was never bored.

[@sikerslalatm3147]

​@@sgtpepper122 lmao pick me love me

[@texenna]

@@sgtpepper122 not everybody is like you

[@raesully2615]

My Haitian Oma, whom is fluent in Deutsch, lived in Germany for several years. She loved that country and told me she never experienced racism back then either. People are always shocked she's speaks Deutsch..lol

[@ThatJew305]

🤥 liar

[@raesully2615]

@@ThatJew305 Not all white people are racist!! I grew up around mostly white kids dated white men and even married a white man. White people are very cool🙂😊 I'm learning German as well!!

[@raesully2615]

@@ThatJew305 DEUTSCHLAND IST SEHR SCHÖN!!🙂

[@jamisontanksley112]

Racismus ist in jedes Land anders. Das Dinge ist, es bedeutet an wer du bist und woher du kommst aus. Ich bin in Deutschland seit einem Jahr und für mich alles ist leicht aber für Leute, die dass aus die Middle East kommen sind, haben die leider mehr rassistische Erfahrungen

[@denisesalt9729]

These first-hand accounts are so important. It just shows how different other people's experiences are even in the middle of the same war. Lovely lady. I am glad she made it back home before she passed away.

[@ammaone1]

This is an absolutely incredible account.

[@MomBawse]

absolutely incredible hardly cuts it. In 2021, as a black woman in my 7th decade, I really don't know how to feel. This will take some processing

[@shakur3259]

Don’t know how I ended up here, but I’m so happy I did, what an amazing person, amazing story 💙

[@dcnisey]

It’s the KZbin rabbit hole! 😂

[@shakur3259]

Denise Reed haha right!

[@johnnycrawford3880]

Mrs. Fordham was an excellent storyteller. Great Interview.

[@elisebrodeur-jacobs5215]

Her story is so incredible. Thank you♡

[@TheMundusvultdecipi]

Wow so she passed away in 2019. Incredible life story!

[@reginakniprode246]

the story all germans now

[@niallmartin9063]

Somebody, somewhere needs to make this story into a movie imediately. How unbelievably relevant to today this poignant story is. incredible.

[@GherkinBitchs]

That is the best idea ever!! Can we send this video to a famous director who would be interested in this??

[@ellenweiss5850]

Yes you're right

[@gratefuldead3750]

@@GherkinBitchs Margarethe von Trotta, or Christian Petzold

[@crosslabelz]

That would mean they would have to share the truth. The media has been positioning germay entirely negative regardless of the positives that came from there

[@robertgignac6715]

Esther always saw the good in people, no matter what the circumstances were. That's why she remained, so open minded all of her life. Very good life story. Thank You ❤

[@MrRagnar123456]

An exceptional lady. Being German I have heard of another black German from Hamburg - Hans Jürgen Massaquoi - who grew up in Hamburg during the Nazi era and moved to the US after the war. Some of the things he said were similar to Esther's account. She really sounds like a very lovely person.

[@callummason6589]

These people are not german or germanic. The decendants of the germanic tribes are german.

[@charlottekey8856]

@@kristjanlektura8116 Actually I think both her parents were African and she said nothing about being mixed.

[@Omnatten9]

The fact that the person is even alive already tells us a lot about both her and Germany.

[@shrek19yearsago78]

Idk if shes still alive this interview was in 1995

[@Omnatten9]

@@shrek19yearsago78 yes but you get the point, she made it past 1945

[@Peterblack12]

Uh no it doesn't tell us much. Lol many Jews made it out as well

[@DannewK]

but there were probably way less black people so that she grew up in hamburg and wasnt harmed says actually a lot. its a fact america is such a racist country wtf

[@Omnatten9]

@@DannewK the only racists in America are black, white Americans are literally becoming a minority

[@fijifive]

I discovered this video by accident, and I’m so glad I did! Esther is such an amazing soul and I felt like I knew her after listening and watching her honest, open and compassionate story. I found it delightful that she returned to Germany. Her story is a treasure.

[@christopherm5958]

I discovered by accident as well. I totally agree with you.

[@shemene647]

Me too

[@theancientsancients1769]

By accident I discovered too but this must be the best history story I listened to in a very long time from a real person! She died I understand in 2019

[@TracPhone_freestyles]

Absolutly amazing. Incredibly informational. Im 35 years old. I have been thoroughly studying WW2 for over a decade. This is the first time I have ever learned about this topic in the war. BEST WW2 history documentary I have seen in a long time. BRAVO!

[@RETROGEMS]

This was a phenomenal interview. I'm sitting here amazed at the gentle, sweet spirit of this beautiful lady. She's truly beautiful on the inside and out. And I think I understand why so many people here in the comments are amazed at her story. She possesses little to none of the pain and trauma that so many people of African descent have because of the brutality of racism. It's funny. We are born more than 60 years apart, I am of mixed-race, African-American heritage through my mother's side, and I grew up in the American South during the 1990s. Although we are decades removed, I think I and my family of color may actually have more sad, ugly and angering stories of prejudice ranging from nasty experiences with retail workers to medical professionals to random White strangers than Esther had...all because of a perception of our racial background. It almost seems as if Esther inadvertently held up a mirror to American society with personal accounts like hers and the reflection is ugly as hell...if she had more freedom and received more respect in Nazi freaking Germany than her Black American counterparts during that same time-frame, then what does that say about the sordid and truly terrifying legacy of white supremacy in our nation and the vast amount of damage it's done to Black and Biracial Americans? Esther kept her innocence, she kept her love and warmth for humankind, no matter color and race. That trauma that's touched the lives of so many people of color didn't really touch her own life and I think that's priceless. That's what all Black and part Black people deserve.

[@arcang2102]

Awesome point.Gets kinda murky when u mention if Germany incomparison to American experiences wasn't as bad.She had better ones back home,regardless of the fact that her immediate family of Black German dissent,were all Bomb Victim Survivors.And she still feels today, she was treated alot better in Germany than the U.S. bcs Europe understands the true origin of things, unlike the different wild,yet standard ideals of the states.The west is more interested in moving forward;Or less than Historical Antiquity that Europe is Ultimatly sitting on.Versus Americas fresher newer more progressive ideals on things.To bad the dirt of racism is rooted in such a great country.It doesn't matter to most humanitarians,but to most sub-humane cretins of segregation,being so called mixxed is sometimes a multi-cultural issue.Bcs being Part Black is all black & they can't wrap their puny sense of humanity & anti-social pea brains around that fact.But overall your comment rocked!God Bless.

[@teemadarif8243]

And yet they call us the angry black women. The irony of it

[@chaneldiane8611]

Yeah am coloured lady and I live in Germany happily as long as you re a good guest you don’t have problems. I have never been to America.But on tv programs you can see the trauma racism can put in persons.It’s truly sad.

[@kentagent6343]

She's an incredibly strong woman though. Just the story of her cycling to her family's bombed store seeing all of the houses on fire and dead bodies littering the street all while it was dark as if it were night, was crazy. It doesn't seem like there's much that would get in her way. She'd power through it all.

[@HighExplosiveDualPurpose40mm]

This woman looks exactly 100% like my grandmother. Her expressions even the way she speaks my God this is something else I need to show this to my dad

[@AngryChickenCake]

Was you grandmother from germany?

[@hubertpounall1323]

There should be no stopping of the telling of this story, to the World.

[@davidsoepboer]

I think we need to learn a bit more about the mass killings in the Sovjet Union during the 20s and 30s. And what about the Japanese and their killings of millions. Why always look back at the Germans. I am a Pole, but i know for damn sure we made the germans paid. But today Poles are realising that it was not good what they did to Germans after ww2. Its in the past.Move on

[@davidsoepboer]

@Dc ThreeTwo ORANGE MAN BAD

[@caribbeanqueen9894]

@@davidsoepboer : WTH its not a competition!

[@davidsoepboer]

@@caribbeanqueen9894 That was not my point. I live in the Netherlands en when we hear about WW2 its always the Germans( and with good reason ofc) but we had back then a collony called the Dutch East Indies(hoi4lol) Today its called Indonesia. My point ist that we hearfare less about Japanese war crimes en killings of millions Chinese and Indonesian residents. And some times the Japanese choose tactics that the Germans wouldn`t think of. Not that I want to say its worse but different. And a lot of Indo-European Dutch people came over after the Independence Colonial war against Indonesia. They were also victems of WW2. And i want that their stories would be told much more. Same goes with the Chinese. And lets not forget the holodomor in the Soviet Union during the 20s en 30s

[@davidsoepboer]

@Germania Kuoni ofc you are. You are German. Haha no just kidding ;)

[@demusmorgan9622]

What a delightful woman. Her story is paradigm shattering. God bless her 🙏❤

[@stevencarter1115]

This history is priceless! so much information from her lips, through her eyes, from her heart! I'm a black man, this story is not about racism, it's about her life in germany and transistion to America. Get knowledge from this interview, not hatred!!

[@salingstuff8085]

Most our ancestors come from euro countries like Germany, Ireland, dutchland

[@halcasey3461]

Exactly 💯

[@ahgavlive4517]

@Powerful Oprah Every persom comes from africs lmao. I think the person meant grandpa's etc who were born and raised in europe you know?

[@ahgavlive4517]

@Powerful Oprah Please learn the term white supremacY before commenting

[@trizahmacharia2939]

yaahh...this is her biography

[@BlancoToldYou]

I miss living in germany it was the best time of my life I was so depressed moving back to the states after having 5yrs of peace

[@thomasblaine3193]

I think james baldwin felt the same about his time in Paris.

[@BlancoToldYou]

@@thomasblaine3193 I bet ..

[@tkammon2211]

Well, then move back!

[@BlancoToldYou]

@@tkammon2211 lol between Covid/ being a wife and a mother/ and having relatives who wouldn't want me to go its not gonna happen until our two sons turn 18 lol

[@Herr2Cents]

Where do you live in the states? I've lived in Boston my whole life and have seen many good changes.

[@teemadarif8243]

He's reaching for certain answers lol. How amazing it is that she was treated better there than she would have been treated in the U.S .. and they were looked at as something special she said. The interviewer sounds a tad bit irritated. Very interesting.

[@dariusanderton3760]

on one hand I was expecting a really interesting life story, but somehow the way she tells her story it seems boring most of the time. I imagine that's why the interviewer sounded frustrated. I felt frustrated listening to it.

[@aneeshprasobhan]

@@dariusanderton3760 it was never boring for me.

[@RuralmoneyOfficial]

Very interesting indeed. She told the truth. Truth is censored here, but I understand why.

[@Usta765]

Thanks for uploading this incredibly impressive and precious contemporary historical account! Greetings from Hamburg, Germany.