Clemens Tangerding on Coexistence with Political Opponents: A Personal Essay

In an essay published on Freitag, historian Clemens Tangerding reflects on the challenges of living alongside people with differing political views. He recounts his reaction to an interview with Jana Glaese about her book 'Mit Rechten leben. Widerstand und Nähe im Alltag' (Living with Right-wingers: Resistance and Proximity in Everyday Life). Tangerding describes feeling a rare sense of kinship upon reading the interview, as if encountering a fellow rare species in a jungle. He expresses deep connection and even willingness to trust Glaese with personal tasks like watering plants or walking his dog. The essay draws on Tangerding's personal experience in his hometown, where politically divided regulars at a local pub have maintained camaraderie for 40 years. He suggests that such everyday practices of coexistence may be more valuable for democracy than panel discussions, as hinted by the article's subtitle: 'Why a topping-out ceremony for democracy is more valuable than a panel discussion.' The piece is a personal and reflective take on political polarization and the potential for everyday interactions to bridge divides.