She hasn’t made it into the German single charts yet. But Carolin Kebekus has been regularly topping the German outrage charts lately. The reason is songs that the comedian and singer performs in her weekly “Carolin Kebekus Show” on ARD.
Whether with her stinky finger song on the occasion of Donald Trump’s renewed term in office or her ballad to Thomas Gottschalk, who is struggling with modern times (“Thommy, do you have to go to the home?”) – Kebekus knows where the excitement synapses of this country reliably fire.
The 44-year-old also showed this in her most recent program, which had the motto: “Abortion is not a crime”. The background is a legislative proposal by a group of representatives to legalize abortions in the first three months. The CDU/CSU opposition in the Bundestag recently reacted angrily, Friedrich Merz sharply attacked the still incumbent Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who had co-signed the bill as an SPD member.
The aim of the initiative is to attempt to abolish Section 218 “as quickly as possible at the end of the electoral period,” said Merz. It is an issue “that polarizes the country like no other, and that is more likely than any other to trigger another completely unnecessary major socio-political conflict in Germany.”
Abortions are currently illegal according to Section 218 of the Criminal Code. In fact, they remain unpunished for the first twelve weeks if the woman seeks advice beforehand. Abortion also remains unpunished if there are medical reasons or if it is carried out because of rape. The abolition of paragraph 218 has been debated for years.
“Carolin Kebekus Show”: men encouraged to sing along
In keeping with the debate, Kebekus took a musical stance in her show. To the tune of Bonnie Tyler’s hit “It’s a Heartache”, which is also widely popular among football fans in a lyrically modified form, she wrote: “Abortion is not a crime, we’ve been waiting for decades and now we’re not in the mood for it anymore.”
She encouraged the audience and explicitly the men to sing along: “Abortion is not a crime, and if you are not women, please don’t open your mouth anymore.” There was applause and storms of enthusiasm in the hall, and Kebekus also received a lot of support on Instagram.
“Finally a woman with reach has the courage to speak plainly,” writes one user in the post about the show. Another says: “My now 86-year-old mother took to the streets against Section 218. And the same discussion is still going on today.” The slogan “My body, my choice” is proclaimed again and again, which has stood for female self-determination and the right to abortion since the 1960s.
1. Abortion (§ 218 StGB) is not a crime, but a misdemeanor.
2. If the offense is not realized if the requirements of Section 218a are met.
3. Sing the Kebekus so nonsense.
4. The stupid audience singing along is embarrassing.pic.twitter.com/pGP8WRON3x— severin tatarczyk (@stagerbn) November 22, 2024
But there are also voices that find the song completely unsuccessful. Many people are less bothered by the content than by the form: “I find it tasteless to ridicule the topic like that. “Many women who may have been struggling to have a baby for years shouldn’t have this rubbed in their faces in such a wishful manner,” writes one user. Of course everyone should do what they want, “but such a sensitive topic should be treated that way.”
The makers of the show announced the topic on social media with a lot of oomph. “The new Malle hit” is announced with “What a banger!”, along with party emojis and the message: “Abortions should finally be decriminalized in Germany. Finally! Ok, but the debate has only been going on for almost 100 years. Friedrich Merz doesn’t think that’s good at all, well, that’s why…”
As expected, the song is viewed even more critically by users on Elon Musk’s Platform X than on Instagram. The author Peter Borbe (“Life in the Green World”) writes there: “An anthem for abortion – that’s why we pay our compulsory fees to public broadcasting. Kebekus always manages to set new lows when it comes to decency!”
Other critics speak of a “brutal infantility and lack of dignity with which a highly complex moral dilemma is treated here”, find the audience singing along “embarrassing” or point out that Kebekus took physical self-determination less seriously than he did with the Corona -Vaccination went.
How does Carolin Kebekus’ use of humor and music in addressing the abortion debate potentially contribute to a more nuanced and inclusive public discourse on the topic?
## Caroline Kebekus and the Abortion Debate: A World Today News Interview
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World Today News, where we delve into the hottest topics shaping our world. Today, we’re discussing comedian Carolin Kebekus’ recent musical stance on abortion rights in Germany, a move that has ignited fierce debate. Joining us are [Guest 1 Name], a legal expert specializing in reproductive rights, and [Guest 2 Name], a cultural commentator focusing on social commentary through humor.
**Section 1: The Legality and History of Abortion in Germany**
* **Host:** Let’s start by setting the stage. [Guest 1], could you explain the current legal status of abortion in Germany and the ongoing debate surrounding Section 218? What are the historical arguments for and against this law?
* **[Guest 1 Response]**
* **Host:** [Guest 1], Kebekus’ song calls for the immediate abolition of Section 218. Do you think this is a realistic goal given the strong opposition from figures like Friedrich Merz?
* **[Guest 1 Response]**
* **Host:** [Guest 2], how do you see the historical context of this debate playing into public opinion today?
* **[Guest 2 Response]**
**Section 2: Artistic Expression and Social Commentary**
* **Host:** Switching gears to the artistic side of this discussion, [Guest 2], Kebekus is known for using music and humor to address controversial topics. In your opinion, is this approach effective in generating meaningful conversation surrounding complex issues like abortion?
* **[Guest 2 Response]**
* **Host:** Some critics criticize Kebekus’ approach, arguing that it trivializes the seriousness of the issue. How would you respond to those who believe humor is inappropriate in this context?
* **[Guest 2 Response]**
* **Host:** On a psychological level, [Guest 1], do you think Kebekus’ song, with its call and response format and direct address to men, can empower women and encourage greater understanding of their perspectives on this issue?
* **[Guest 1 Response]**
**Section 3: The Role of Public Broadcasting and Freedom of Speech**
* **Host:** The show airs on ARD, a public broadcasting network funded by license fees. Do you think public broadcasters have a responsibility to tackle sensitive social issues, even if they attract controversy? [Guest 2], how do you view the role of public satire in a democratic society?
* ** [Guest 2 Response]**
* **Host:** [Guest 1], considering the diverse range of opinions on this topic, what are your thoughts on the responsibility of media platforms, both public and private, in presenting balanced and nuanced coverage of the abortion debate?
* ** [Guest1 Response]**
**Conclusion:**
* **Host:** Thank you both for sharing your valuable insights on this complex and important issue. The debate surrounding abortion rights will undoubtedly continue, and it is crucial to encourage open dialog and understanding from all sides.
[Optional: Host can summarize key takeaways from the discussion and encourage viewers to share their own thoughts and perspectives.]
