#BlackInAmsterdamAdventures (Day 11)

 ... A Day of Reflection and Deep Thinking... As I approach the final day of my time here in Amsterdam, I just had to sit and think back to how INSPIRING, Motivating, and Informative this trip has been. Never in a million years would I have thought I would be here in Amsterdam. This trip has been spiritual, emotional, physically taxing, and just what I needed to push through these #PhDChronicles !! The knowledge that I have gained and acquired is beyond words. Also being here lets me further know that the struggle for #BlackLife remains and the fight is global! However knowing that others are taking up the baton assures me that freedom and liberation can be within reach and not to give up. I am very grateful for this Black Europe Summer School opportunity, so that this young girl from small town Champaign, IL can look back and say "You doing your thing, and keep on doing it!! Travel the world, soak up the culture, and remember to pay it forward !! "

                                      

#BlackInAmsterdamAdventures (Day 10)

(Top L-R A 'Keti Koto' scarf that sums up the festival/celebration, Welcome Sign to "Oosterpark" where the National Slave Monument is housed, Bottom L-R One of the elders paying homage to the ancestors that came before by the pouring of libations, Parade of women, men, and children with the 'broken shackles', statue at the National Slave Monument)

Today July 1st a special day in Surinamese and the Dutch Antilles history as it is the Keti Koto festival! "Keti Koti," a Surinamese term, which means "Broken Shackles...the chains are cut" It symbolizes the abolition of slavery on July 1, 1863 in the former colonies of Suriname and the Netherlands Antilles and thus the end of an extreme dark period in Dutch history. (Although slavery was abolished by the Netherlands in Suriname and the Dutch Antilles in 1863, enslaved persons in Suriname would not be fully free until 1873, after a mandatory 10 year transition period during which time they were required to work on the plantations for minimal pay and without state sanctioned torture.

So one may ask why celebrate (this is a no brainer though) Keti Koto? It is essential to celebrate, to offer a time of reflection on the past and look ahead toward the future, celebrate freedom, equality and solidarity. In essence, when one has an enhanced knowledge of the past, it is easier to have a deeper understanding of what is needed to prepare for the future. Thus the day began with a Commemoration Breakfast where broke bread with family, friends, allies, etc. as we discussed "what it means to be free?" and "how does freedom feel in the midst of the struggles?" During and after I realized how the struggles of Blacks in the US is very much the same here in the Netherlands. We must continue to fight in order for us to really be free mind, body, and soul. Now, shortly after we would walk over together to Oosterpark for the national commemoration held in the Monument Dutch Slavery and Heritage. During the ceremony we heard remarks student activists, representatives of the Cabinet, the Ministers Plenipotentiary of Curaçao, St. Maarten and Aruba, the Ambassadors of Suriname, Ghana and South Africa and the Mayor of Amsterdam.

Now folks that know me, know that I do not celebrate the 4th of July (it's not my holiday, and at the time my ancestors were not even free, but that's another story/post) so celebrating the Keti Koto festival really resonated with me, because I felt a sense of belonging knowing that this was a true celebration of Emancipation! Although there is much work to be done in the Netherlands as it pertains to freedom and the eradication of racism (i.e. Zwarte Piet), there have been many victories. The struggle for liberation for Black people reaches far beyond our homes and communities, it is a global predicament! I am just grateful and fortunate to be able to have this opportunity to witness and take part in a celebration that is a shared experience.

#BlackInAmsterdamAdventures (Commercial Break)

These Surinamese elders blessed my soul this morning as we prepared to take part in this year's Keti Koto Festival!! Hearing their voices reminded me so much of my home church in Atlanta!! The connection runs deep folks!! Love my Black people!! 

#BlackInAmsterdamAdventure (Commercial Break)

This Sista right here is Amazing to the 20th power!! Jennifer Tosch has been a great source of information, talent, and energy while being here in Amsterdam!! Her fearless spirit is quite inspiring! And you know I had to get a pic with her dressed in traditional Surinamese (Angisa/headscarf & Koto/dress) garb from head to toe, before going to the Keti Koto Festival!! Oh and if you are ever in Amsterdam you must take her Black Amsterdam Heritage tour and her special Black Presence in Art tour at the National Rijks Museum!! All smiles!!

Myself with the "Official Surinamese Ambassador" Jennifer Tosch

#BlackInAmsterdamAdventures (Day 9)

...Nothing like the bond of Black Woman Sisterhood across the pond. Let me just tell you, I was given new life today at today's International Symposium on Black Europe. UMASS-Amherst Gender and Women Studies professor Dr. Tanisha C. Ford exemplified what I seek as a budding scholar and professor. Dr. Ford presentation on "Creating an 'Eclectic Archive' New Directions in Cultural History brought awareness to this notion of radical blackness by pushing aesthetic boundaries. In essence we witnessed how blackness travels and is circulated through this triangle of US/United Kingdom/South Africa. Her work sheds light on this idea of 'Soul Style' and how Black women across the globe interrogate oppressions of race, class, and gender across the diaspora through various cultural aspects and aesthetics (hair, fashion, music, print magazine. etc.) of the civil rights movement. I would learn about how Black women adopted a way of dressing that essentially acknowledges the people they are fighting for; the pipeline bridge (using Black models) between the US & South Africa with the distribution of the DRUM magazine; and the popularity of the Grandassa models (based out of Harlem) in the Nigerian magazine 'Flamingo'. Via each of these aspects there is this sense of what Ford calls this cycle of 'pleasure-violence-innovation' (a pleasure of embracing your African roots, at the same time being attacked for this embracing, and then finally using certain fashion adornments as a site of class formation). Now although Ford's focus is/was centered in Brixton, United Kingdom and South Africa I saw a lot of threads with my current and future work with regards to the Black female body. The Black (female) body is an amazing site of study when it is given fair justice. All in all, I look forward to Ford's text "Liberated Threads: Black Women, Style, and the Global Politics of Soul".

Thus, just when I thought I had a firm grasp of the Civil Rights and Black Power Movements another layer of knowledge is added (and this is a GREAT thing by the way!). So as someone who is beginning to embrace this idea of being a Black Cultural Studies scholar, I realize how many dimensions ones work can go and how it can still be ground-breaking, creative, and innovative. Therefore, being able to map Blackness in alternative ways that resonates with me and my work offers another route of interpretation that I look forward to providing!

(Top L-R Grandassa model Brenda Deaver; a group shot of the Grandassa models in Nigeria; Bottom L-R Dr. Tanisha C. Ford giving her presentation on "Creating an 'Eclectic Archive'..."; The cover of Ford's upcoming book; and myself pictured with Dr. Ford)

#BlackInAmsterdamAdventures (Day 8)

Today's lesson focused on the Educational curriculums, disparities and hierarchies within Black European culture, specifically in the Netherlands and Portugal. This was a day that I really had to reflect on my educational background starting from Pre-K to present day Grad school. I truly value not only what I got from the many great teachers that I had, but also the supplemental academic enrichment that I obtained from programs like Upward Bound College Prep Academy, Principal Scholars, & Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate program, among others. So on today I realized how critical it is to have a firm foundation of history. I can remember the many days I would come home from school telling my mama and grandma how we didn't really learn about people of color (particularly Black folks), even as I child I was inquiring about people that looked like me! Also realizing that Blacks people were so much more than enslaved individuals, but revolutionaries, kings & queens, high ranking officials, inventors, and so much more. This is the connection that I saw with schools here in Europe. As I have already discussed in posts from last week race is constantly made to not exist or downplayed as if it is not relevant. What one will find over here is how rampant Eurocentric ideologies & narratives of whiteness are perpetuated in history and taught to children of color (i.e. Afro-Dutch, Surinamese, Dutch Antillies, Turks, & Moroccans). Now it's bad over in the U.S. but it is taken to another level over here. Imagine Black children having to be forced to learn under Christian principles, but their Muslim; or not having any mention to slavery or Africans being seen as enslaved (remember the enslaved were seen as economic wealth); or having to be critiqued daily about the order and cleanliness of your homework; or worse having to take part & witness your white Dutch classmates (sometimes Black ones too) dress in blackface to 'honor' the notorious Zwarte Piet (or risk being fined/and or humiliated for not participating). All I could do was just shake my head. The ugliness of 'white privilege' in the classroom is helluva drug. #PhDChronicles

#BlackInAmsterdamAdventures (Day 7)

Got an opportunity to visit the National Rijks Museum on today and boy was this an enlightening experience. Now the museum as whole is known as the Dutch National Art Museum. For all my art folks it houses some of the most well known art pieces from Frans Hals to Rembrandt's "The Night Watch". But what is not discussed, yet very visible is the Black presence in many of these pieces. It's not surprising the Blacks in the Netherlands have existed as more than just servants and enslaved persons, but also high ranking officials and dignitaries. What's unfortunate is how Blacks are either eroticized and made hyper visible or rendered invisible with no acknowledgement whatsoever. Take for example the picture on the bottom right, it is quite clear that there is a young Black child placed in the center. Yet the museum curator among others did not even realize his presence in the painting when asked who is the Black child?? hmmm... And then the other three pictures show Blacks as either Revolutionaries and/or dignitaries (i.e. one of the Kings bringing gold to 'baby Jesus' and Christophe Le Moor the right hand of the Dutch King at the time). So I find it very hard to disregard Blacks in Europe and to simply see them as economic wealth. ... And these pics are just a small taste of what is there, it's quite a handful. If I have learned nothing else since I've been here, it's to have even more pride of what my ancestors across the ocean did to survive and take positions of power despite the consequences! The courage and tenacity is quite amazing even if others do not recognize it.

#BlackInAmsterdamAdventures (Day 6)

Nothing like roaming the Amsterdam city streets and canals. Today myself and fellow Black Europe Summer School colleagues got a chance to hang out away from the school walls and dig in to a little bit of what Amsterdam had to offer. We started out by hitting the Turkish markets (which reminded me of the street shops in NY and LA), walked up and down the canals, found some local bookstores which had some very unique book covers, passed through the "Red Light District" (very underwhelming lol), picked up some manga/comic books, got some good Indoneshian food, and now getting into a heated game of spades!! A perfect Saturday Night!

#BlackInAmsterdamAdventures (Day 5)

A Spiritual Awakening took over my mind, body, and soul on today! On this evening I got a chance to witness and participate in a Afro-Surinamese ancestral veneration ritual, called "Winti". According to Surinamese tradition, the human has three spiritual aspects/pantheons (similar to Orishas): the Dyodyo, Kra, and Yorka. These aspects have various duties including protection, determining reason and mentality, and absorbing life experiences to prepare for the transition. As the ritual took place I felt at peace starting with the washing of my hands and face with the blessed, sweet water to "cleanse away any negative ghosts and evil, bad spirits", to observing the elders (dressed in blue and white traditional Surinamese garb) prepare the table of food and drink for the ancestors, to evoking the spirits through song, dance, and word. I was truly at one with the Creator!

So a little brief background: After the abolition of slavery in 1863, a ten-year period of economic slavery followed known as 'De Periode van Staatstoezicht' (the period of State Supervision). The period of State Supervision ended in 1873 and was followed by a very long period of mental and cultural slavery. 1873 is the actual year in which the Surinamese celebrate their independence (see the button in the pic below).

As we embark on the Surinamese Independence Day from the Dutch there are several rituals, events, and activities happening al over Amsterdam. Everything leading up to "Keti Koti" on July 1 (Independence Day) ....oooooo I cannot wait!! So as the drums played, the singing lingered, and I dancing with the new friends and  the elders,  I channeled my inner thoughts of appreciation to some folks who I know would appreciate this moment my Big Sistas/Mentors Ifa Bi Idan Umoja​, Kaya Ariminta Akinyela​, Victoria Jo Washington, Deborah Jackson-Embers,​ and Baba Akinyele Umoja​ !! You would have truly been in the spirit.

Tonight's ritual was just what I needed to close out this first week in Amsterdam! To be honest I cannot really put it into words the experience that took place. It was and is a moment I will forever remember and cherish.

#BlackInAmsterdamAdventures (Commercial Break)

So folks know I'm all about interrogating various types of images, and today I would be introduced to a VERY unique and eye-catching image. This particularly, disturbing image is a "de Gaper" sculpture which is the head of a man, usually of southern origin, a Moor or Moslem, open-mouthed and often with outstretched tongue. Historically, they have been known to hang over pharmacies to attract customers, but also as a distinctive indicator for the store. Now what's most alarming about this image is the fact that it is associated with a male person of color, and there is usually some sort of pill on their tongue. This feature is quite disturbing in that it can be interpreted in some triggering ways. For some it is an exotic jester, and for others like me I see a racially charged image of a black body being drugged. 

 

Now I understand everything is up for interpretation but that right there....hmmm not sure about that...So marinate on that...

#BlackInAmsterdamAdventures (Day 4)

...It was a good day!! And because it was a good day, I got a fun fact to share with you!

1- I would learn that a Ghanaian-Dutchmen by the name of Anton Wilhelm Amo was the first Black man to study and obtain a degree from a European university. He completed his first degree in law in two years, and then went onto obtain a PhD degree in philosophy. Amo became a well-respected philosopher and teacher in the Netherlands; be well-versed in logic, metaphysics, history, theology, and medicine while mastering SIX LANGUAGES English, Dutch, French, Latin, Greek, and German. Ultimately, his work criticized such faults as dogmatism, prejudice, and intellectual dishonesty. Let's just say Anton was the Man!!
 
2- Now also in today's BESS lecture we had quite the intriguing discussion on "Ideological Frameworks of Racism" led by Race/Gender/and Racism in Europe scholar Philomena Essed and historicization of racial Images going Viral in Europe and the US by Critical Race Theory scholar David Theo Goldberg. My mind was definitely elevated to another level!!

3-And on a final note, while discovering the North Amsterdam (which is quite the multi-cultural part of town) I had the pleasure of chatting it up with a rising undergraduate scholar Hassani Scott​ . We talked politics, life, school, and Nikki Minaj (lol). I must say it is always refreshing to meet new people, build your community, and extend your networks. Plus we got in some good exercise, all the walking that we did!! (And....I Got my FitBit steps in lol)

Plus it was another sunny day and you can't beat that!! Tomorrow starts the weekend and there will be plenty of stories to share, so stay tuned!! #PhDChronicles #CritiquingTheGaze

#BlackInAmsterdamAdventures (Commercial Break)

Let's go for a bike ride!! This should be fun! #bicycling #BlackInAmsterdamAdventures

#BlackInAmsterdamAdventures (Day 3)

Today was truly a redefining moment in how I look at this idea of innocence. Social and Cultural Anthropologist/Gender & Sexuality and Afro-Dutch feminist scholar Professor Emeritus Gloria Wekker spoke with us today on her upcoming book project which discusses White Innocence in the Netherlands. Some of the other many topics that she (and the group) discussed included:

1) Terms like aggressive innocence, benevolent curiosity, and sexual racism (especially towards Black and Women of color) from Dutch whites. This is groundbreaking work in Amsterdam, the Netherlands as a whole, and within the African Diaspora. Wekker equated much of these thoughts to seeing the "Emperor with no (new) clothes on," basically all is exposed without a care. Further in this discussion we connected several similarities of white innocence and playing the victim in both of Saidiya Hartman's seminal texts "Lose Your Mother" ("What about the Captain?" and "Scenes of Subjection" (innocent amusements) and the terrorist shooting in Charleston, South Carolina (this suggested concern for the killer's family). She also made note of how innocence is connected within a Christian context and this thought of 'knowing, but not claiming to know'.

2) Also although not shocking, nonetheless mind-blowing is the underestimation of having Black professors. I just think about how much I appreciate all my Black teachers and professors from kindergarten to present day, and how Black students in the US yearn to see more of a presence! However, when I look at the lack of Black professors here in Amsterdam it is even more appalling! Just imagine ONLY 4 WOMEN OF COLOR professors in all of the Netherlands (and only one of them is tenured Gloria Wekker)...basically less than 1%!! That right there gives you a bird's eye view of what is taking place.  

3) Thus one can see the importance of having work produced by such amazing scholars such as Wekker. And despite these struggles, when I tell this Black woman literally walks with style, grace, and conviction. Wekker is the epitome of what I hope to become as a Black woman professor. Her and Toni Morrison are like kindred spirits. In essence, Wekker gives me hope, motivation, and purpose to push past the boundaries and create your own lane for others engage and take part in.

All in all, this Wednesday was indeed a breath of fresh air. We even got some sunshine, considering the chill in the air that we have been receiving. Even in the midst of all this color-blind/"we do not see race" ideologies there is some powerful work being produced. It's overseas trips like this and other excursions that really further open my mind and eyes. They say you really cannot judge your experience in your home country till venture out and see another. Well so far I've been on a roll!! Well that's a wrap for today stay tuned for tomorrow!

Pictured here you will see myself and my UC Berkeley African American Studies colleague Jarvis Givens pictured with Gloria Wekker along a snap shot of her lecturing this morning, followed by myself and Black Europe Summer School co-founder Kwame Nimako (such a gentle soul), and UC Berkeley African American Studies professor Stephen Small. 

#BlackInAmsterdamAdventures (Commercial Break)

For all my Heineken fans!! This is just for you!!

‪#‎BlackAdventuresInAmsterdam‬ (Day 2)

Ok good people today was one of those days where ALOT of information was consumed and I am still digesting it. My mind in going in so many directions as it relates to race in Europe (particularly here in Amsterdam)!! I will start by saying with each international trip I learn a little more about myself, what I will and will not tolerate, and more confidence/courage in myself as a budding scholar. And with today's post I'm going to be very transparent and not really bite my tongue (I just gotta speak from the heart as my grandma said.) So here we go....

Today's lecture dealt primarily with the Black Dutch presence in the Dutch merchant and maritime history from the 16th century moving forward...
1-What was most alarming for me is how some scholars (white) approach and/or avoid race as if it does not exist. I'm beginning to realize how race is seen as this object that does not have a space unless there is something to gain from it. For example, historically during slavery (and in some cases now) Black children were seen as accessories/pets/something to be passed around, and exoticized. I remember seeing that in the movie Mandingo, but hearing it again just gave me a visceral effect. (see an example in the image below)
2-Then there's also this idea of Dutch artists like Rembrandt who painted interesting pieces of work with Black bodies at the center (whether directly or indirectly), but at the same time not wanting to acknowledge that a "human" Black presence existed in the communities in which they lived in via the Netherlands.
3-The fact that people are still using terms like colored, beastialization, and 'well-intentioned' racism are very objectifying and problematic. Language is soooo very important!! And I can't tell you how many times I would cringe at this idea of a 'constant state of Black discovery' about people that have existed for centuries!! It's bad enough folks were measuring 'negro skulls' as a method of measuring intelligence...it's some jacked up stuff boy!!
4-And as many of us know slavery was an economic enterprise, but even more so for the Dutch. Many families are wealthy and banks flourishing to this day off the money made from backs of enslaved Blacks. In essence, wealth is directly connected to the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. But, one thing that I can say is that reparations is real and Blacks in the Netherlands are getting what was owed to them.
5- Point blank within many European circles "Blackness, in the way we see it in the US, is not really claimed...more so geography is recognized!!
6-Some refreshing history was learning about this Dutch freedom fighter named Anton De Kom. De Kom is a celebrated war hero who can be likened to Surinamese version of Martin Luther King, Jr. His work in the Surinamese and Guyanese community is very pivotal into the liberation Black Dutch within his home country and Amsterdam.
7-When it's all said and done, I realize that White Europeans dismiss race because it is truly a horrifying experience to visual (place themselves into the situations they created) the traumatizing damage of slavery and its effects.Thus it is just easier to ignore. Furthermore, what what I am continuing to realize more and more is that it is very crucial to change the language that is used when interrogating race, and that we must change the way we reframe history by raising new questions and challenging the existing paradigms.

Needless to say today was very emotional and I found myself holding in this disgust, but relieved while writing this post. I often find myself trying to be 'nice'/'politically correct', but some stuff just ain't right!! Man oh man...There's so much more, but I will save that for tomorrow. ‪

‪#‎BlackInAmsterdamAdventures (Commercial Break)

I kid you not we Delta's are all over the world literally!! I happen to be wearing my DST hoodie and cross bag and a Soror comes up to me and says "I Love My DST!" ... Who would've thought I would meet another Soror all the way in Amsterdam!! We international!! 

‪#‎BlackInAmsterdamAdventures‬ (Commercial Break)

Taking a coffee break with a Surinamese tasty treat "Darklover" (espresso, white & dark chocolate, and caramel)!! As you can see it was good to the last drop! ‪#‎yummy‬ ‪#‎BlackInAmsterdamAdventures‬

‪#‎BlackInAmsterdamAdventures‬ (Day 1)

‪#‎Day1‬ of ‪#‎BlackInAmsterdamAdventures‬ ... Thanks for tuning to my travel adventures. I hope to share some stories and things learned while here in Amsterdam. And of course there will be pictures!! So in today's lecture we were setting up the groundwork of "theorizing Black Europe". We began discussing the complexities of race within the European context, the importance of race relations, this idea of the "stranger" within, and progressive control of white Europeans towards Black European. We also began tackling citizenship and decolonization (which many equate to self-determination), this was especially intriguing as I began making linkages to my own work. And finally, we discussed the European Union as a contested project. Today I really engaged with the material and quickly saw the connections of how blackness translates across borders. ... Now on another note the food here is actually pretty good. As we speak I'm sipping on this nice tasty ginger beer, sitting in this vegan cafe, listening to some Gregory Porter, and reading about access to the Netherlands of enslaved and free Black Africans. I gotta real good feeling about these two weeks! ‪#‎PhDChronicles‬ ‪#‎TravelNoire‬‪#‎BlacksInTheDiaspora‬

#BlackInAmsterdamAdventure Series 2015

So as a PhD student there are many opportunities to look at your work outside of the classroom and potentially abroad. And over the next two weeks, I'm embarking on a new journey via this Black Europe Summer School in Amsterdam, Netherlands. This is a very exciting experience as I get to visit a new country, critically engage my work on Black popular culture/comic books/Afrofuturism within a European context, and experience/witness what it means to be Black in Europe. So stay tuned each day as I chronicle my time during my ‪#‎BlackInAmsterdamAdventures‬ via poignant lecture discussions, visual imagery, culinary experience, and of course fun times while I'm here!! Think of it as a snapshot treat for you to follow along with me on this journey!!

Stay tuned each day for my ‪#‎BlackInAmsterdamAdventures‬ while I'm here!! It will be a snapshot treat for you to follow along with me on this journey!!‪

Safe travels to Amsterdam!! Made it in one piece!! That was quite a journey! 

Alrighty, so lets get this party started!!