Status: 04/21/2022 11:37 a.m
The supposed change of heart of the singer Xavier Naidoo causes lively discussions. How serious is his apology on Youtube to take? Jan Riebe from the Amadeu Antonio Foundation with assessments.
–
listen to post
5 Min–
Xavier Naidoo published a video statement on YouTube in which he apologized. He got lost in conspiracy stories, was blinded and allowed himself to be exploited. He regrets that. The reason for his change of heart is the war in Ukraine, where parts of his family live. Jan Riebe from the Amadeu Antonio Stiftungwhich works for a democratic society and against right-wing extremism, has given assessments of Naidoo’s credibility at NDR Kultur.
Were you surprised by Xavier Naidoo’s statement?
Jan Riebe: I was a bit surprised. I hadn’t expected that now. But it’s also nothing that wasn’t to be expected. If you looked at the statement, it was very thin. That suits Xavier Naidoo again.
The big question is: How credible is this apology? The Baden-Württemberg anti-Semitism commissioner Michael Blume said on ARD: “He justifies it with the experiences of his wife, who comes from the Ukraine. I think it’s quite possible that he has understood that conspiracy myths lead to fascism, lead to brutality. He’s seen that in Ukraine and Russia, so I’d give him a chance to mean it.” Mr. Riebe. You just said you found the statement thin. What do you mean? Can you believe Xavier Naidoo?
Jan Riebe: He has been in conspiracy ideology circles for over ten years and the Ukraine war has been going on for seven or eight weeks now. A credible exit cannot work in such a short time. I also think you have to give him a chance. I am completely with Mr. Blume. But he’s definitely still deeply entangled in conspiracy ideologies. And that’s going to be a long, long way if he really wants to get out of there.
How do you determine that he’s still involved?
Jan Riebe: When you see how powerful anti-Semitism is, when someone like him has been a mouthpiece for anti-Semitism in Germany for over ten years – at least in the last few years – then it’s impossible – even if the will is there – to get out in the short term . It must be a painful process and his video statement is very bland. He always says he got lost, but he doesn’t say where he got lost. Nor does he name any protagonists from whom he distances himself. He didn’t tear down a single bridge. He can go back at any time.
It is not the first time that he has distanced himself from his own statements. Is that why they are so reserved?
Jan Riebe: Exactly, we know that from him. He kept saying it wasn’t meant that way when the accusation of homophobia was made. So three minutes can’t make me believe him.
If you believe him now: How do exits from the conspiracy milieu actually work? Is there any experience?
This is still a fairly new field. There are parallels with leaving cults. That is why sect commissioners and offices of the church are also good contact persons. There are now the first exit points. My advice would be: If people want to get out, they have to seek professional help. And they also need people in their closest circle of friends who they trust to help them get out. It won’t work without them.
In addition to approval, there was also a lot of doubt about the singer’s sudden change of heart on the Internet. How reacts to the lateral thinker scene, in which Naidoo has been very active in recent years. Were they able to track that?
It’s very different. Some are really shocked. Many emphasize that he was actually the most important figure because as a representative he was able to say something where many said: Well, that’s not right-wing extremist. That doesn’t suit Xavier Naidoo. And that’s why some are appalled. But many build bridges for him again and say he is being put under pressure. They’re spinning new conspiracy theories that he didn’t do it voluntarily and that he’ll be back on the scene very soon and giving concerts.
The conversation was conducted by Eva Schramm.
additional Information
