Philipp Sanderhoff
With Berlin’s international vibe and an almost endless cultural life, Milka Agbenou, a 26- year-old Frenchwoman, felt instantly drawn to the city. “It was love at first sight. Berlin offers the diverse possibilities of New York and Paris for an affordable price.”
Like more than 22.000 other of her fellow citizens, Milka enjoys the freedom of movement within the European Union, which allows her to live and work in Berlin without any major administrative barriers. For young urban cosmopolitans like her, it’s become a substantial part of their identity to relocate freely. But this right, as self-evident as it may seem, is in the utmost danger.
“The election of Marine Le Pen as the next president of France would have a disastrous impact on my life,” believes Milka. “As a young woman of color who rather identifies as European than as a proud French citizen, I represent the image of the enemy for her.” And Le Pen would have the power to doom those enemies: If she goes through with her election promise to leave the European Union, many French abroad could instantly lose their work permit and therefore their whole basis of life.
But for Milka this would only be a share of the idignity she fears to face: “With the subtle normalization of racism in the public discourse, Len Pen could make it impossible for me to move back to France in the future. I may not only lose my newly found home in Berlin but also my French roots.” Her grievous voice in these brief moments of despair contrasts with the enthusiasm and positivity which this young woman radiates.
“Le Pen wants to see me dashed to the ground with bitterness, but I refuse to be a victim. I will fight for my rights!” It’s the hopeful voice of a European cosmopolitan that sheds esperance on the future of France and Europe. May her voice be heard.