Lewicki Sociology 2021.pdf (109.94 kB)
The Christian politics of identity and the making of race in the German welfare state
The Christian Caritas and Diakonie are Germany’s largest welfare providers. They currently recruit abroad and in refugee shelters to fill staffing shortages in care. Yet, they also seek to preserve their organisations’ Christian identity. Drawing on interviews with facility managers, my research explores how these initiatives shape institutional life in care homes. Specifically, I examine meanings attributed to conversion, notably in relation to Muslim staff. My analysis shows that Christians, nominal (‘by heritage’) or observant, are seen to ‘naturally embody’ care ethics and have privileged access to permanent contracts and leadership positions. The churches’ politics of identity, I argue, racializes affiliation with Christianity into a category of belonging naturally inhabited by some, and only potentially – and always debatably – attainable for others. The analysis feeds into controversies about conversion in the sociology of race and extends scholarship on identity politics beyond its usual focus on minority or far-right activism.
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Published version
Journal
SociologyISSN
0038-0385Publisher
SAGE PublicationsExternal DOI
Page range
1-17Department affiliated with
- Sociology and Criminology Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2021-03-11First Open Access (FOA) Date
2021-04-29First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2021-04-29Usage metrics
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