#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. 

‪#‎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. ‪