AN INSIDER'S LOOK: BEING BLACK IN AMSTERDAM

When choosing a place to study abroad, a factor I had to consider was safety as a black woman. It is sad, but true that I had to consider my safety even more because I am an African woman. I was told by many that Amsterdam is one of if not the most diverse cities in the world, which completely shocked me. I had no idea that it was assumed as a "melting pot" of a city like the US, so I was excited to learn more about so many people from so many different backgrounds. As I started taking my courses at VU, and even familiarizing myself with the neighborhood, I started noticing some interesting things. 

I signed up for a Dutch history course, wanting to learn more about Amsterdam. As we dived into the class I noticed one common factor, in every story and every chapter: the Dutch were the colonizers. Early on in the course, we had learned of the term "Dutch Ignorance" and when it comes to things that the Dutch have done in the past that are wrong, they seemed to forget it exists, ignore it, or act like these actions didn't happen or weren't as bad as people deem. Examples are all past slavery/slave trades, colonialism, murder, and many more actions. 

As an American, the biggest examples of Dutch history I could think of are the Dutch East and West India Trading Companies and WWII. Many of the local Dutch students in the course were shocked to hear me say that in such a negative light. On the one hand, these companies put their country on the map economically and historically, but also they were the major reason why the slave trade system existed in America. But, instead, they would say things like "It's a thing of the past, we don't claim that as Dutch history" or "They exaggerate when they teach about it".

Being a black woman, sometimes it is hard to defend your opinion of comments in a lecture class, especially when you are the only POC in the room, and you don't feel like anyone else shared your feelings. That is how I felt in Dutch classrooms, even worse knowing about this Dutch Ignorance.

I assumed that this ignorance existed, but stayed in the classroom and focused on colonial times. But, I was wrong: it exists in multitudes. As the holidays were arriving, the Dutch started sharing their favorite Christmas traditions. As they were sharing, I heard "Zwarte Piet" and I froze. I got a flashback from when I saw an episode of "Atlanta" that took place in Amsterdam. The episode focused on a rapper performing in Amsterdam during Christmas, and the audience was all in blackface. I assumed the story was exaggerated, but once again was wrong. 

Zwarte Piet, or Saint Pete/Black Pete is a legend that was a "Morrish servant or slave accompanying Saint Nicholas aka Sinterklaas on his holiday travels". White Dutchies will dress up in blackface, afro-styled wigs, red lipstick to make their lips look bigger, and gold hoop earrings. All while dressed jester-like with a feathered cap, Pete is a laughed-at character. My jaw dropped when I heard this, seeing as everyone was being serious. 

I felt so uneasy and I hadn't even witnessed it in person yet. That was until December came around. It wasn't until then I understood how common the Zwarte Piet tradition was. People in blackface everywhere. I couldn't look away without feeling so uncomfortable. Not only was this incredibly racist, it was so ignorant to continue a tradition like this. 

That is just one example of how being Black in Europe is so different that in the US. Racism is so much different because, in the US, it feels so out of place like, why does anyone else deserve more than me, we are all the same. Everyone is an immigrant in the US, regardless of race. The racism I have experienced in the US is the majority stereotypes, or things that come from black culture that people will identify with every black person. Meanwhile, in Europe, I felt targeted, like it was true hate. But, I will say my overall experience in Amsterdam was good, and I didn't have too many crazy interactions. 

Regardless, it is a sad reality of our world that I mentally prepared for anything to happen before traveling to Europe, but Amsterdam was the least of my concerns. Maybe I will go into detail about my other country visits, because believe me, I have the stories to tell! Until then, thanks for reading and I will see you in my next blog!

Bibliography 

1. https://www.claimscon.org/netherlands-study/

2. https://humanityinaction.org/knowledge_detail/whitewashed-slavery-past-the-lost-struggle-against-ignorance-about-the-dutch-slavery-history/

3. https://humanityinaction.org/knowledge_detail/black-pete-analyzing-a-racialized-dutch-tradition-through-the-history-of-western-creations-of-stereotypes-of-black-peoples/