Tag Archives: Leuphana University Lüneburg

19 October 2022Best Books & Fabulous Filmsactivism, Anti-Violence Project, Discrimination, Islan Nettles, Labels, Leuphana, Leuphana University Lüneburg, LGBTQ+, LGBTQ+ History, LGBTQ+ Terminology, Marsha P. Johnson, Netflix, Netflix Documentary, POC, Pride, Queer, Review, The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson, Tourmaline, Trans Woman, Transgender Women of Color, Victoria CruzHenrike Kattoll

A Story Beyond Words: The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson

By Hannah Quinque

Photo Credit: “No Pride Without Black Trans Lives” by Janine and Jim Eden

LGBTQ+ Pride is usually a cause for celebration. It is meant to express the joy of being alive and being seen in a society where an identity that diverges from the norm easily leads to exclusion, isolation, and fear. Somehow, it makes sense, then, that the idea of Pride is born from suffering, tragedy, and anger, too. The 2017 Netflix documentary The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson presents a stirring testament to a life and death that are universally meaningful in the struggle for LGBTQ+ existence, then and now.

5 October 2022Access AmericaClimate Change, Ecomodernism, Leuphana, Leuphana University Lüneburg, Nuclear PowerHenrike Kattoll

Nuclear Power and the Road to Ecomodernism

By Levin Schüren

Photo Credit: “Nuclear Environmentalist” by jurvetson is licensed under

What if a belief you deeply held and one that’s reciprocated by your entire social circle is actually wrong and harmful? In the spirit of my last blog, I want to tell the story of how I changed my mind on a major issue. The position I want to challenge is deeply engrained in the DNA of the mainstream environmental movement, especially here in Germany: the opposition to nuclear power.

14 September 2022Access AmericaCanada, Cancel Culture, CBC, Cultural Appreciation, Cultural Appropriation, Drew Hayden Taylor, Germany, Indigenous, Karl May, Leuphana, Leuphana University Lüneburg, Native, Natives, Ravensburger Verlag, Searching for Winnetou, The Young Chief Winnetou, WinnetouHenrike Kattoll

When in Doubt, Ask a Native Author! The Winnetou Debate

By Maryann Henck

After a storm of protests from enraged parents concerning issues of (mis)representation and cultural appropriation in the new children’s movie, The Young Chief Winnetou (2022), the German publisher, Ravensburger Verlag, withdrew the companion book and puzzle to the film. Soon thereafter, the main German TV station (ARD) announced they would no longer broadcast the popular Winnetou movies from the 1960s based on Karl May’s novels. Everyone seems to have their take on the current controversy; yet, there’s been some criticism regarding issues of paternalism due to the lack of Native voices in the debate. That’s why the American Studies Blog has gone directly to the source and interviewed Drew Hayden Taylor acclaimed Canadian Anishnaabe author, frequent flyer to Germany, and creator of the documentary, Searching for Winnetou (2018).

Please activate javascript to watch the video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvM4V6HLJAI

31 August 2022Best Books & Fabulous FilmsCars, Cars 2, Criticism, Daniel Lawrence Whitney, Emily Mortimer, Feel-Good Movie, Film Review, Leuphana, Leuphana University Lüneburg, Mater, McQueen, Michael Caine, Movie, Movie Sequel, Owen Wilson, Review, Sequel, Unpopular OpinionHenrike Kattoll

Going against the Grain: Declaring My Love for Cars 2

By Veronika Heinrich

Everybody hates Cars 2 – and I just don’t understand why. First of all, let me make a confession: I’m 25 years old and a Disney nerd. I love watching animated movies – as long as they’re well made. And Cars 2, even after more than ten years, is still my all-time feel-good movie.

It has everything you could wish for: Uplifting words, funny jokes, and a world you can lose yourself in. There’s barely anything that’s hateful or triggering, and I love joining the characters on their journey. Yet, most critics have characterized Cars 2 as violent and illogical, calling it the worst Pixar movie ever – and I just can’t wrap my head around it. How could I feel so differently from everyone else?

17 August 2022Creativity CornerBedtime, Bedtime Story, Berlin, Childhood, Creativity, Iron Curtain, Leuphana, Leuphana University Lüneburg, Memories, Stories, StorytellingHenrike Kattoll

Childhood Memories

By Michael Lederer

Memories are stories we tell ourselves.

Credit: Genia Chef, “Emerald Grotto,” oil on panel, 1997 (fragment); published with the artist’s permission

“When I was younger, I remember how…” We cherry-pick. We have to. Otherwise, we’d remember what we wore and ate for lunch a day before our 6th birthday, and the week before that. TMI.

3 August 2022Creativity CornerBerlin, Berlin Wall, History, Iron Curtain, Leaders, Leuphana, Leuphana University Lüneburg, RussiaHenrike Kattoll

Iron Curtain, Please

By Michael Lederer

One man’s trash is another’s treasure.

Vladimir the Small, as history is sure to remember him, has pulled the iron curtain off the trash pile and ordered it rehung. His security blanket. Thirty years exposed to Western ideas of choice – enough of that. Obedience or destruction, enough choice for his people.

The good old days.