Fuss about Ahmed: Poster campaign causes heated debate in Nuremberg

Fuss about Ahmed: Poster campaign causes heated debate in Nuremberg

The election campaign for the mayoral election in Nuremberg caused heated discussions with a controversial poster campaign by Ahmed. “My N-word is Nuremberg” is emblazoned oversized on the posters, and the reactions to it are as mixed as the city itself. Positive voices on Instagram are enthusiastic, for example one user says: “Turning something so negative into a positive direction is true greatness.” Martin Hagen, the former Bavarian FDP state leader, also gives first-class feedback: “Nice!” However, the criticism is often louder, with many users describing the campaign as “absolutely tasteless” and calling on Ahmed to delete the poster. Critics such as author Gina Hitsch complain that those affected have to do free educational work while Ahmed is campaigning. The annoying posts show that the N-word is still a hot topic.

A particularly harsh judgment comes from activist Jireh Emanuel, who points out that the campaign is intended to be anti-racist, but has problematic effects on the normalization of a historical instrument of violence. He explains that Ahmed lacks the necessary sensitivity and exchange with the affected community.

Racism in language use

Speaking of language use: The “Stop N-Word” initiative, founded at the end of 2019 in cities such as Cologne and Bonn, has the clear goal of outlawing the N-word and racist language in German. It was founded in response to a court ruling that did not classify the use of the N-word in political discussions as derogatory. Language means power, and in Germany it has a long history marked by discrimination, dating back to the 17th century. Racist terms not only damage the image of marginalized groups, but also the mental health of those affected. Two French researchers reported the shocking statistic that up to 49% of the German population believes in the existence of human races!

The mayor of Nuremberg, Marcus König (CSU), has also taken up the issue. He recalls that the city officially outlawed the N-word in 2024, emphasizing that it is used as an insult and an expression of violence against black people. König makes it clear: “Combating racism is a central duty of the state to protect human rights.”

A plea for opportunities

Despite the criticism, Ahmed explains that the message behind his poster is for a Nuremberg of opportunities. Here everyone should have the opportunity to develop regardless of their wallet, origin and other hurdles. During the discussion, he emphasizes that he supports diversity with his own migration background and his black identity. He says that the feedback from the Nuremberg community is overwhelmingly positive and that he is capable of campaigning.

The controversy over Ahmed's poster campaign underlines the need for a dialogue about racism and sensitivity in language. Further exchange with the affected groups and raising awareness in educational institutions could show paths to a more respectful and fairer society.