Ilkay Gundogan hopes there is no letting up in the fight against racism following team-mate Raheem Sterling's stand on the issue.
Sterling suffered alleged racial abuse during Manchester City's Premier League defeat at Chelsea last weekend and responded by issuing a statement accusing some newspapers of fuelling prejudice.
Gundogan can empathise with Sterling's position having been targeted in his home country of Germany last summer because of his Turkish heritage.
"Obviously it's something we all have to fight, we all have to play our individual roles to make it better for everyone. We have to deal with it," he said.
"It's not easy because I lived it in the summer as well. I know how that feels and it hurts.
"But at the end we have no other choice but to stay strong and try to go through that period and try to do our best on the football pitch. To keep being successful, that's what matters."
Sterling's statement, which highlighted the way newspapers report similar stories about black and white players, has prompted a debate within sport and the media.
Gundogan believes Sterling has dealt with the matter well and has not been affected by the storm.
"He has been normal to be honest. I think he made his point clear through Instagram, giving a statement on that," added Gundogan.
"This is obviously something that doesn't belong anywhere in the world, but it happens."
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