International business professor William Toel spoke yesterday about the disparity between the German media’s portrayal of the refugee crisis and what he experienced during his own journey in Germany yesterday. His speech was part of the Cullom-Davis Library’s SpeakUp! lecture series.
“I walked around many East German villages and refugee camps, and what I discovered was that they didn’t come from the backgrounds and demographics the German government said they did,” Toel said. “The media said these refugees were Syrian, largely women and children, educated and came from diverse religious backgrounds, but that was not the case.”
Toel said the German government was actively suppressing the truth about the refugees.
“One time, I saw a group of refugees overwhelm and take over a bus,” Toel said. “When the police arrived, they told me to forget what I saw. Later, in my hotel room, the mayor of the town called and told me that if I knew what was good for me, I would stop inquiring.”
Toel said as a result of this misrepresentation, East Germans were growing resentful of the refugees and the German government. He also said he feared the right-wing political party would rise up again in Germany.
“Germany is a fine example of the gap between the official story and reality and the danger that gap poses to democracy,” Toel said. “Here in the U.S., we should look to Germany and try to learn from its failing.”
According to Toel, there is a danger that the United States might fall into the same situation where the government does not trust its own people.
“Jefferson’s axiom [says] that the American people must be given the fullness of truth and time to reflect is important for us to remember for today,” Toel said.
Toel said it is important for young people in the United States to think critically about the media and attempt to separate the truth from the spin.
After Toel’s lecture, there was a brief discussion in which students asked questions and offered rebuttals.
“I think [Toel] was really insightful, but I’m not sure about some of his conclusions,” junior civil engineering major Kyle Harrison said. “I don’t think lying to the German people is right, but it seems like a lot of the East Germans are against letting in more refugees, and that’s only going to exacerbate the crisis.”
Harrison said he is in favor of the United States letting in more refugees despite what he heard.
