Article May 12, 2003 Issue

'Violence is no way forward'

How former neo–Nazi terrorist Christine Hewicker found a new life with a peaceful purpose

By Annette Kreutziger–Herr

SOME SEE IT ALMOST AS A RITE OF PASSAGE. In teen years (and sometimes at later stages in life) people struggle for answers to basic questions that sum up to "Who am I?" Tomes have been written on the subject of identity, countless movies made. In large part, though, we may define ourselves most by the influences we listen to and the choices we make. Christine Hewicker's search for identity at first took her into the shadowed world of neo–Nazi terrorism and criminal activity. Bitter and in prison, she was reached by something invisible but very tangible, perhaps even before she was ready to reach out for help. Annette Kreutziger–Herr, a music scholar and writer based in Berlin, interviewed Christine for the Sentinel. Annette describes Christine as "wonderfully honest and open, even ruthlessly honest with herself."

Christine, tell me about your upbringing.

I grew up in a wonderful family, being the only girl and the last of six children. My brothers and my parents loved me very much. As a child I could not accept anything without questioning. Justice and injustice, our world, life—these were topics that I got involved with at a very early stage. Why do certain things. happen? Why do people suffer? Why are there wars?

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