Zivilcourage?

In the past year or two....at least here in my region (Wiesbaden) and around a number of metropolitan areas, they've (the city leadership) have started up this seminar business called "Zivilcourage" (civil courage is the basic translation).

So what this goes along with is that some Germans are pretty direct and confrontational....about particular people. 

Well....yeah....immigrants, migrants, refugees, etc.

Prior to 2013, you would often see these little events occur (public areas) where so-and-so German kid, or a group of punks, or a couple young males....would go and shout abusive comments, push people around, or do some stupid crap.  German bystanders would mostly stand there and do.....well....little to nothing. The term....'didn't want to get involved' is pretty close to what you saw. 

Back in the 1980s and 1990s....I had a chat with different Americans who were based here in Germany and this funny attitude about not wanting to get involved.  Americans are often stupid folks....you see something (even with some city cop), and we want to stand up for the little guy or the oppressed.  Within these discussion groups from 30 years ago.....we would view the German stand-off view as something unique.  Various reasons would be given....some folks would suggest that the fear-of-the-Nazis business fell into this discussion. 

So these seminars held now?  They are to suggest that you....a private individual could stand up and provide zivilcourage.  You could use your voice and tell some punk kid or some idiot on the bus to step back a step or two. 

Generally, the cops are the ones who lead these seminars and the first key thing they harp on....don't do nothing to get yourself injured or provoke the guy to do something even more stupid.  Generally, they want you or your associate calling the cops real quick so they can get there, and take on the idiot themselves (German cops kinda demand respect in confrontations, if you haven't noticed).

Making a difference?  I'm not quiet sure about this angle of the program.

Is this even a problem worth the seminar business?  Back in 2013 and 2014, everyone was all hyped up and pro-migrant/pro-immigrant.  At some point in 2014, and especially in 2015....I'd say that public attitude shifted.  Germans, I think in the 95-percent range....won't go and insult migrants in public situations.  That said....it wouldn't surprise me if some situation developed and two punk kids were to stand there and try insulting someone just for the thrill of it. 

My view is that you merely have to put yourself in between the punks and the intended insult guy/gal, and give some type of 'Clint Eastwood-look'....like you'd toss them.  Strong cold silence, and just the look....in most cases, would be enough zivilcourage to lessen the event.

So if you hear something about zivilcourage.....that's the basic idea....trying to give Germans some seminar that would bring them to do something typically non-German.  If it sounds like what some Australian or Brit would do without hesitation....well, yeah, that's true.