Simone Wijmans - New black TV news anchor in The Netherlands

Simone Weimans will be the new TV news anchor in The Netherlands for the NOS morning and day shows. Starting June 15th she will also be a news editor, the NOS (the Dutch BBC) announced today.

The 39-year old Weimans, who was born in The Netherlands to Surinamese parents, presented the current affairs radio program Dichtbij Nederland of the NPS and several other programs.

Weimans started as a radio journalist for the Radio Netherlands Worldwide during her study Communication Science. After graduating in 1998 she worked for the Dutch public broadcasting company VARA and for several programs on public Radio 1, 2 and 5. Currently she is involved in the radio program De Gids.FM on Radio 1 and De heer Ontwaakt (The Lord Awakens) on Radio 2.

Wijmans is the third black news anchor for the NOS since 1965.

Simone Weimans - My Strawberry Earth Moment


The first black news anchors in Europe

Video: In the tracks of The Panther - Dutch Black history in Indonesia

For years, Dutch author Griselda Molemans wondered about the dark skin colour of her grandfather from the Dutch Indies (present-day Indonesia), but failed to explain the origin.

One day, an elderly Indo-African couple from the garrison town of Purworejo in Java, gives her a clue about her family name. What follows next is a suprising quest, leading from the National Archives in Holland to Burkina Faso, Ghana and Java and resulting in the discovery of the African founding father of the Molemans family.

Griselda Molemans is a Los Angeles-based international Dutch reporter and former sports news anchorwoman on the Dutch television. Molemans was born in the Netherlands to an Indo-Molukken mother and a Creole Surinamese-Dutch father.



About her journey she wrote the book 'In the tracks of The Panther' (Dutch title: 'In het voetspoor van De Panter'). The story of the 'belanda hitam' soldiers, young African men who were bought on slave markets in Kumasi (in present-day Ghana) by the Dutch army between 1831 and 1872 and who served in the Dutch colonial Army in the Dutch Indies.

She is also the author of 'Black skin, Orange heart' (in Dutch: 'Zwarte huid, Oranje hart. Afrikaanse KNIL-nazaten in de diaspora'). A book with interviews, and photo sessions with the oldest descendants of African soldiers ('black Dutchmen') who served in the Dutch Indies (present-day Indonesia).

The life stories of these African soldiers and their descendants in The Netherlands, the US, Surinam, Ghana and Indonesia have been documented as part of Dutch colonial history.

Check out some of their stories, and some photographs of armando Ello at armando-ello.blogspot.com

Also see Indo-Africans: The forgotten story of the Black Dutchmen

Remembering Clark Accord: A Bozanova in Arabic - Moroccon-Dutch Singer Teema & Orville Breeveld

Moroccon-Dutch singer Teema sings in Arabic "Moshta Aleek" ("Autumn Leaves") in Bozanova style accompanied by Surinamese-Dutch gitarist Orville Breeveld. It's a guest performance on the talk show of Anouscha Nzume en Clark Accord on the Amsterdam TV station AT5.

Teema is an Amsterdam based singer with Moroccan roots. She was a student at The Music School of Amsterdam, one of the vocalists of the Gospel World Choir and a member of the R’n B group “Damez”.

The group recorded several tracks and performed at festivals in Europe and in Canada. During the last couple of years she focuses more on her Arabic musical roots.

Clark Accord is a Dutch-Surinamese writer who died last Wednesday at the age of 50.

Surinamese-Dutch writer Clark Accord has died (50)

Via RNW: Surinamese-Dutch writer Clark Accord passed away in an Amsterdam hospital on Wednesday evening 11 May after losing his fight against cancer. He was 50 years old.

Clark Accord lived in Amsterdam, but his work always contained the tropical flavour of the Caribbean. Born in Paramaribo in 1961, he moved to the Netherlands when he was 17 years old. After finishing high school in Amsterdam, he first trained and worked as a nurse. He went back to school to follow a new career as make-up artist, which led to successful work in Vienna, Zurich and Vancouver - as well as stints in fashion centres such as Milan, New York, London and Paris.

Mr Accord said he began writing because he couldn't find the kind of books he himself liked to read. For his first novel, he decided to research a legendary figure in Surinam's 20th century history: Wilhemina Angelica Adriana Merian Rijburg (1902-1981). Better known as Maxi Linder, she was the country's most famous prostitute.

Queen of Paramaribo
Approaching the story like a journalist, Clark Accord interviewed her friends and associates to discover the truth behind the gossip and myths surrounding the glamorous woman. "In Maxi Linder we find good and evil," said Mr Accord, "and that is the story I wanted to write."

The musical 'De koningin van Paramaribo' (The Queen of Paramaribo) with Sarina Vroon as Maxi Linder (The Queen of Paramaribo



"Betsy had almost reached the entrance when Maxi Linder, accompanied by two naval officers, cut in front of her. Maxi spit demonstratively on the sand and rolled her eyes in Betsy's direction. She was covered from head to toe in gold jewellery. Too bad it clashed with the tacky dress she had on. What's more, her hair had been swept up in a ridiculous roll on top of her head, and she wasn't wearing a bit of make-up. Since Maxi Linder and her party were blocking the doorway, Betsy had no choice but to wait. With Maxi on the scene, the public had lost all interest in Betsy."

'De koningin van Paramaribo' (The Queen of Paramaribo) became a best seller in The Netherlands with some 100,000 copies in print. The book has been translated into several languages and a movie version is planned.

For Radio Books, Clard Accord wrote a day-in-the life story, you can listen to it at Radio Netherlands Worldwide

Clark Accord also was a columnist for the Dutch newspaper Het Parool. In his columns he wrote about social issues, politics and about the black community. And together with Anousha Nzume he presented the talkshow "LET'S TALK BLACK!" where he talked about black issues.

An interview with artistic director Anousha Nzume about the musical theatre version of the book and two performances.


There is so much more to say about him. I am going to miss him. Rest in peace Clark and thanks for everything.

Dutch Milly Scott - First black singer in the Eurovision Song Contest

Milly Scott (1935) is recognised as the first black singer to take part in the Eurovision Contest. She is a Dutch singer and actress of Surinamese origin and represented The Netherlands in the 1966 Eurovision Song Contest.

Scott had built up a career as a successful nightclub jazz singer, which led to her being given her own TV show, Scott in de Roos, in 1965. As a result, in 1966, she was given the chance to take part in the Dutch Eurovision selection, where her song "Fernando en Filippo" was a clear winner.

Scott went forward to the 11th Eurovision Song Contest, held in Luxembourg City on 5 March, where "Fernando en Filippo" ended the evening in 15th place of 18 entries with votes only from the UK and Ireland, continuing a run of poor Dutch results dating back to 1960. Although "Fernando en Filippo" was something of a novelty song (and was performed as such) at a time when ballads dominated Eurovision, Scott would subsequently claim controversially that her disappointing result was attributable, at least in part, to racism on the part of the voting jurors.



On her website she writes. “People didn’t realize I was the first black singer who took part in the contest. The Netherlands was reasonably "accustomed" to people of colour, but many other countries outside Holland absolutely not. The exceptions were Britain and Ireland, from each of them I got one point (so two points total), from the rest I got ZEROS.

Although I had performed for TV and radio with huge success, in the festival I was crushed. My first encounter with discrimination was a fact! It was 1967.”

Scott was born in 1935 in Den Helder in the Netherlands as Marion Henriette Louise Molly.

Also see Black singers at the Eurovision Song Contests

Janelle monae will be at North Sea Jazz 2011 in The Netherlands

US R&B singer Janelle monae will perform at the North Sea Jazz Festival in the Netherlands, on Friday 8 July 2011.

Welcome to the year 2719. Cindi Mayweather realises that she is the ArchAndroid who must save the city of Metropolis from a mysterious power that is trying to suppress love and freedom.

Welcome to the world of songwriter and singer Janelle Monáe. She tells her epic tale in symphonic, funky numbers. On her album The ArchAndroid (2010) she is assisted in her task by Sean 'Diddy' Combs and Big Boi from Outkast, among others.



When touring with artists like Erykah Badu, she drew inspiration from every corner of the globe that she visited. And she is not lacking in imagination. Monáe mixes together hip hop, soul and traces of jazz and world music into a musical journey that can best be compared to a danceable soundtrack from a science-fiction film. (Source: North Sea Jazz)

Dutch football player Clarence Seedorf receives royal decoration in the presence of Berlusconi

AC Milan midfielder Clarence Seedorf has been named a Knight in the Order of Orange Nassau, bestowed by the Netherlands for his services to football and charity work.

Alphonsus Staelinga, the Dutch ambassador to Italy, presented Seedorf, who is born in Suriname, with the honor in a ceremony on Thursday that was also attended by Milan president and Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi (photo AP).

"If he is the coach of AC Milan, he can bring his brother and cousin immediately, we don't mind a little nepotism,” joked Silvio Berlusconi.

Seedorf is the only player to have won the Champions League with three different clubs—Ajax in 1995, Real Madrid in 1998 and Milan in 2003 and 2007.

In 2005, Seedorf founded the "Champions for Children foundation". He also owns an Italian football club in the serie C.

Asked if he might retire at the end of this season, the 35-year-old Seedorf declined, saying he remains motivated and fit.

Although Seedorf is a hero in Italy he is not very popular in the Netherlands. Although he is regarded as one of the most successful Dutch football players.

The reason why is not very popular is because of his role in a conflict in the Dutch national team during the European football championship in 1996, which eventually led to a dramatic performance in the tournament.

The media saw it as conflict between the black (Surinamese) and the white Dutch players, but it actually was a power struggle over salary within in their club team Ajax.

Gentle Voices wins Dutch version of the NBC acappella singing competition 'The Sing-Off'

The Dutch gospel group Gentle Voices won the Dutch version of ‘The Sing-Off’ on Saturday. By winning the acappella contest they also won a record deal with Sony Music and they were invited to perform with the popular Dutch group 'De Toppers' .

The Rotterdam based gospel group is comprised of family members, who are all of Surinamese origin.

Unfortunately the Dutch version of the American music competition (NBC) wasn’t a success in The Netherlands, the show on SBS 6 was suffering low ratings.

One the performances of Gentle Voices (Father and Friend of Alain Clark)


One the performances of runner-up 'Sharp'.


And For-Tune, one of the groups who made it till the "semi-finals".

Meet writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie on 18 April 2011 in Amsterdam

Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie will give a reading of 30 minutes, after which she will sit and talk with Guido Snel. What is her vision on Europe?

Meet her Monday 18 April 2011, 8 PM - 10 PM in SPUI25, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

The European Cultural Foundation has teamed up with SPUI25 and the University of Amsterdam in organising a series of five debates within the framework of Narratives for Europe.

The series brings together ten prominent writers, historians and philosophers from Europe and elsewhere, who will discuss the Europe of today, yesterday and tomorrow.

Narratives are the unifying elements of European history. They connect and explain crucial events and bring them to life. By doing so, they give us the tools we need to understand the complex world in which we live.

But to really understand the “larger” European narrative, we need context. How did people in Europe view their own present, past and future at various times and in various places? How did people outside Europe view Europe? And who are telling today's stories and how are they telling them? And if a new future is appearing on the horizon, what kind of Europe and whose Europe will that be?

These questions will be the focus of the third event in the debate series on 18 April 2011, with the Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie -winner of the 2007 Orange Prize for Fiction- moderated by Guido Snel.

Monday 18 April 2011, 8 PM - 10 PM in SPUI25, Amsterdam
Admission is free but please register beforehand via www.spui25.nl

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie talks to 5th Estate in 2009 about her short story collection "The Thing around your Neck".


And if you have never read some of her work here is her story "My Mother, the Crazy African", which I found on Tumblr

Also see the post about her Ted Talk: Author Chimamanda Adichie on why we need black stories (The danger of a single story)

Dutch film Sonny Boy reaches Platinum status

Dutch feature film SONNY BOY, directed and written by Maria Peters, has reached the status of Platinum Film. More than 400.000 tickets have been sold since the theatrical release of the movie in the Netherlands on January 27, 2011.

SONNY BOY is the adaptation of the bestselling novel by Annejet van der Zijl, based on the true story of the forbidden love between two apparently ordinary people: Rika, a typical Dutch mother of four children, and Waldemar, a Surinam man seventeen years her junior. Their love can survive all the presumptions and obstructions of the cruel world outside, but is finally unable to cope with the brutal and devastating power of war.

The Golden/Platinum/Diamond Film Award is an initiative presented by the Netherlands Film Festival and the Netherlands Film Fund since 2001. The prize is intended to encourage the Dutch film industry and motivate the general public to go and see Dutch films. The total number of tickets sold after a film’s release determines whether a prize is awarded.

See Film: Sonny Boy - A Dutch interracial love story

Giovanca - Neo Soul from Amsterdam

Giovanca, real name Giovanca Desire Ostiana (1977), is a Dutch singer songwriter of Dutch Antillean descent (Curaçao) who lives in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

For years Giovanca has been known as a background singer for (inter)national artists such as Relax, Wouter Hamel, Typhoon, Tribute 2 Bob Marley, Corey, Izaline Calister, Jhelisa Anderson, Terry Callier, Leon Ware and Benny Sings.

But after obtaining her Masters degree in Orthopedagogics she released her debut album "Subway Silence" in 2008 and appeared on many live TV shows afterwards. In March 2010 she released her second album "While I'm Awake".

"Everything" from the album "While I'm Awake".


Giovanca received an Edison Award nomination, and won both the Laren Jazz Award and the 3FM Serious Talent Award. On 3 March 2010, she received a Silver Harp that awards young artists who 'have already made a significant contribution to Dutch music while still having a huge future ahead of them.

"Hypnotize You" from her first album "Subway Silence"

Summer School - Black Europe: Exploring Dimensions of Citizenship, Race and Ethnic Relations. June 12th-30th 2011, Amsterdam

The National Institute for the Study of Dutch Slavery and its Legacy (NiNsee) and the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam are pleased to announce the fourth annual Summer School on Black Europe entitled:

Black Europe: Exploring Dimensions of Citizenship, Race and Ethnic Relations. June 12th-30th 2011, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

The Summer School on Black Europe emerged out of dialogue and concern of various scholars working in the field of race and ethnic relations in Europe. The program is now in its fourth year and is currently located at the National Institute for the study of Dutch slavery and its legacy (NiNsee).

Course Description
This course will examine the multiple constructions of the term Black Europe and the social, economic and political implications within. Students will be able to earn 3 US (6 ECTS) credits for their participation. The content and the description of the summer school are listed below. If you are interested in hearing more about the course, please send a request for additional information via email to a.abdou@ninsee.nl

Or visit the website, http://www.ninsee.nl/Summerschool-1

This course is a collaboration between the National Institute for the Study of Dutch Slavery and its Legacy (NiNsee) and the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

Please feel free to share this information.
Kind Regards, Amy Abdou

Program
A multitude of discourses have emerged relative to the internationalism of Blacks worldwide and particularly in the Americas, but the prominence and impact of the Black presence in Europe has not been adequately explored. This course will examine the multiple constructions of the term Black Europe and the social, economic and political implications within. We will address the dimensions of race and ethnic relations that are unique to Europe; examining the ways in which conceptions of the “other” are institutionalized and reproduced; the rise of xenophobia in various EU countries; the legal definitions and discourse surrounding the conceptualized “other”; and the ways in which each country has dealt with issues of race and national identity.

In the first week, we begin with a historical overview of social and civil conflict in Europe; starting with slavery, colonization, colonial and postcolonial migrations, social movements and struggles. We trace the chain of events following social and civil conflicts in Europe and the rise of legislative and intellectual discourse regarding non-white migration. We also shed light on the historical, cultural and intellectual contributions of Black Europeans.

In the second week, we explore the concept of race and the impact of racism in Europe. We discuss the ways in which race intersects with gender, class, age and ethnicity. Within this discussion, the notion of blackness is examined and analyzed; as a social construction employed by natives to indicate (non) belonging; as an official categorization; as a Diaspora living within Europe; and as a contestation of the dominant (white) paradigm. We will look at issues concerning European identity, national identity and self identity and explore the generational shifts within.

In the third week, we will look specifically at three case studies, the Netherlands, France and England; comparing the history of regulation and management of race and ethnic relations and the discourse surrounding the concept of Blackness and self-identification in these lands. We will also look at the effects of globalization, as well as new migrations from Eastern Europe and the broadening of the EU.

The Summer School will conclude with a two- day symposium entitled, Trajectories of Emancipation (June 29th and 30th). This year’s theme is Religion and Slavery. Keynote speakers include:
Sir Hilary Beckles, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Principal, Cave Hill Campus,
The University of the West Indies
Dr. Lewis Gordon, Director, Institute for the Study of Race and Social Thought
Reverend Rose Hudson-Wilkins, Speaker’s Chaplain, House Of Commons

The symposium will be followed by the National Commemoration of the abolition of slavery in the Netherlands on July 1st. NiNsee will plan a full day of events to commemorate this historic event.

Confirmed Instructors for 2011

■ Dr. Philomena Essed, Antioch University
■ Dr. David Theo Goldberg, University of California Humanities Research Institute
■ Dr. Ramon Grosfoguel, University of California, Berkeley
■ Dr. Dienke Hondius, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
■ Dr. Trica Danielle Keaton, Vanderbilt University
■ Dr. Kwame Nimako, Universiteit van Amsterdam
■ Dr. Stephen Small, University of California, Berkeley
■ Dr. Thomas Spijkerboer, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

The Summer School on Black Europe is open to advanced undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate students. Preference will be given to students based on the following criteria:
■ Undergraduate and graduate students with a background in the fields of sociology, anthropology, political science, cultural studies, economics and/or the humanities;
■ Post-graduate students who have begun a research project in the field;
■ Professionals with an MA Degree and who are working or want to work in a field related to the topic of the Summer School.

Students are accepted on the basis of i) their previous qualifications, ii) the level of knowledge of English, and iii) an essay on their motivation. The Admissions Committee will take account of coherence, feasibility or relevance of the student’s career objectives and proposed program of study, as well as excellence in prior academic accomplishment, especially in coursework and experience related to the Summer School on Black Europe.

Tuition

The regular tuition for this course is €1350. Tuition includes the opening reception, lunches on all class days, weekly get-togethers with faculty, a course reader, a public transportation pass, and travel costs and entrance to museums and exhibitions during excursions (excluding the optional excursion to Paris).

The tuition for students who wish to receive course credit is € 1500. These costs include VAT which is refundable to students living outside the Netherlands. Students may reserve accommodation through the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam for a cost of approximately € 500 per month.

Application Deadline
April 1, 2011

New Skool Rules - International Hip Hop and R&B Conference, April 1-3 in Rotterdam

New Skool Rules, the biggest International Hip Hop and R&B Conference returns in 2011 from April 1st till April 3rd in Rotterdam (Holland)

The international urban music industry will yet again be making major breakthroughs in 2011.

The global scene will yet again be represented on April 1st through 3rd, and once more make way for music professionals seeking to “network and exchange” in an absolutely unique setting and format.

The first edition of the New Skool Rules conference in 2009 had proven to be the ultimate international breeding ground for music professionals around the globe, reaching over 900 delegates from over 20 countries. Major as well as underground and indie contributors to the “urban” scene were represented, with delegates from; Def Jam, Universal, BET, VIBE, MTV (USA), Konvikt, Interscope, AllHipHop.com, WEA, Sony ATV, EMI Publishing, Warner Music and Talpa Music Publishing present.

The 2009 event had proven to be a networking haven for established and upcoming professionals in the music industry where new business relationships were founded, talents scouted, and knowledge exchanged."The New Skool Rules Conference was an eye-opening experience to say the least. It was a true revelation to witness so many different cultures congregate under the Hip-Hop banner, all sharing experience and information." Chuck Creekmur (USA) – AllHipHop.com

The conference will provide a platform for industry professionals to get a taste of international talents, network and exchange knowledge with other giants in the industry as well as with upcoming and established artists. In 2009 for example, upcoming artists, producers, bookers and managers we’re able to network and collaborate live with international artists such as Bishop Lamont, Fredro Starr (Onyx), LMFAO, Rock City and Verse, among others.

Nothing less can be expected for the 2011 edition as the New Skool Rules 2011 experience will start to make its mark in 2010 already, with various international collaborations and competitions scheduled. In 2011 the programme will feature over 30showcases, 12 master classes, 12 workshops, 12 panels, 3 after-parties, speed-date
sessions and much more.

For more information/ticket purchase, visit www.newskoolrules.com

Film: Sonny Boy - A Dutch interracial love story

Sonny Boy is a Dutch big budget film based on the true story of a forbidden love between a black Surinamese man and a Dutch white woman that occurred in the first half of the twentieth century in the Netherlands. The film is an adaptation of the bestselling novel "Sonny Boy" of Annejet van der Zijl.

The Dutch film Sonny Boy opens in 1928 and tells the c story of Waldemar, a 19-year-old black student from Suriname (then part of the Netherlands), and a married Dutchwoman in her 40s, Rika, who fall head over heels in love.

A first test of the strength of their love arrives when they discover that she is pregnant. A second one arrives more than a decade later, when they hide several Jews in their home during WWII.

The film is directed by Dutch director Maria Peters.

The premiere was on January 27th.




About the book

Sonny Boy (and some pictures of the real family)

‘Sonny Boy’, the title of an Al Jolson song from 1928, was the nickname given to Waldemar Nods and Rika van der Lans’ little boy. 1928 was the year their impossible love began, a love they kept alive against all the odds.

The contrast could not have been greater: Waldemar was a seriousminded black student from Paramaribo in Surinam, not yet twenty, son of a gold prospector and grandson of a woman who had yet to free herself from the chains of slavery; Rika was the daughter of a Catholic potato wholesaler, warm-hearted and obstinate, a married mother of four, approaching forty when they met. She was his landlady. When he moved in she had only just left her husband and was penniless, living with her children in a tiny rented apartment in The Hague.

Drawing on archives, correspondence and interviews with family members, Annejet van der Zijl has reconstructed their astonishing love story. When Rika became pregnant the scandal was complete; her own family responded no less harshly than the outside world. Didn’t Waldemar came from a culture where male fidelity was notoriously lacking? And who would look after the moski moski, as the Surinamese would call him, the little brown-skinned boy with dark curls and blue eyes? They had no work, no money, no friends, and the Depression had begun. Perhaps hardest of all, Rika lost her other children after a fierce battle in which her husband was awarded custody.

Contrary to all expectations, the ‘impossible’ but hard-working and harmonious couple managed to create a prosperous business that generated a good income. Under Waldemar and Rika’s unconventional management, Pension Walda became a favourite haunt of revue artistes, colonials on leave from the East Indies, and German seaside holidaymakers. (On the photo 'Sonny boy' with his father on the beach in Scheveningen.)

But Sonny Boy is more than just a love story. It describes the everyday racism of the 1930s and the horrors of Nazism. When Pension Walda was requisitioned by the Germans during the occupation, Waldemar and Rika moved to a house where they soon had guests of a different kind: Jews in hiding. In 1944 they were betrayed and arrested. Both died in captivity. (On the photo 'Sonny boy' with his father on the beach in Scheveningen.)

Sonny Boy, in whom they invested all their desperate hopes and dreams, was left behind, alone. Annejet van der Zijl has done an excellent job of interweaving the personal history of one specific couple with the larger mainstream history of crisis, war and betrayal. (See source here.) In the picture (left) the present-day Sonny Boy.

Black critique

But there is some black criticism on the film. The extra dimension is of course the relationship between a white Dutch woman and a Surinamese black man, but some question if even by present-day standards a relationship between 19 year old black male and a divorced white woman of almost 40 with two children would be regarded as a “normal” relationship.

To some extend I agree with the criticism, somehow it seems that because Waldemar is black and “exotic” different norms apply.

Black History Month 2011 - The Association of Students of African Heritage (ASAH) Netherlands

The Association of Students of African Heritage (ASAH) in The Netherlands cordially invites you to the fourth edition of Black History Month on 18th and 25th February 2011.

About ASAH
ASAH was founded by and for students who can directly and indirectly distract their roots from Africa and for those who have affinity with the African continent. ASAH activities are geared on providing members with opportunities to further develop themselves on a personal, professional, social and cultural level during the course of their studies. The activities organized by ASAH include Black History Month, Movie nights, Africa Rising, Social Lounges, Excursions and ASAH’s first trip abroad to London in 2010. The Student Association is based at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam.

Black History Month 2011

Theme: “The Economics of Culture – the way we dress, eat and express ourselves from an economic perspective”

Many African and Afro-Caribbean countries are endowed with resources that could stimulate economic stability and independence. However, many of those are plight by economic inefficiencies coupled with a constant dependence on global resources. For example, “one may see a black woman elegantly clothed with traditional attire. But her cloth may be from Vlisco (the Dutch manufacturer of African prints), shoes/slippers from Italy and earrings/jewelleries from Thailand. Instead of local manufactures many prefer Hollywood movies over Nollywood/Ghallywood/Black films or even opt for Indian Basmati or American Uncle Sam rice instead of locally cultivated rice etc”.

Considering the trends of commerce, “to what extent are we (Blacks) economically independent when we portray the African/(Afro-) culture”?

Programme Outline

Day 1: Friday February 18th – Culture and Entrepreneurship

The first day of BHM 2011 focuses on culture and the similarities between Blacks from the Diaspora and the African continent. It also provides an opportunity to explore the economic aspect of culture. Furthermore, day 1 serves as a window to showcase and promote Afro-businesses, as well as a means to network. The day is set up as follows:
• Through the conceptualization of culture and what constitutes the African/(Afro-) culture, a “Black Cultural Expert” will enlighten us with reference to the theme. The expert will talk about various developments in the Black culture over the years.
• Fashion show: Traditional clothing from the African continent and the Diaspora will be displayed. Two different kinds of clothing from the following areas is to be modelled:
o West Africa
o East Africa
o Southern Africa
o Former Netherlands Antilles
o Suriname
During the fashion show, information will be provided about the attires, their origins, designer etc.
• Entrepreneurs: After the fashion show, Mrs. L. Echtelt of Mariposa Import, will share her views on “Black consumerism and entrepreneurship”.
• Cultural treats/snacks: There will be cultural snacks to enjoy. Information will be provided about the ingredients used, its origin, the caterers and/or where to buy them.
• There will also be a spoken word performance by T. Martinus. The day ends with a Musical performance!

When: Friday, 18th February 2011
Venue: Surinaamse Jongeren Centrum Samen Sterk,
Zieken 103, 2515 SB Den Haag
A 3 minute walk from train station The Hague HS
Parking is available, free parking from 17:00
Doors open: at 17.30
The programme starts: at 18:00
Entrance: Free
Language: English and Dutch
Pre-Registration is appreciated, please sent a mail to info@asah-eur.nl


Day 2: Friday February 25th – Presentation and workshop entrepreneurship

The second day of BHM 2011 consists of a workshop and an interactive presentation at the Erasmus University.

• Workshop: To encourage the youth and BHM participants of African heritage to take initiative to become entrepreneurs, Ms. W. Gillis-Burleson – managing director of Legato B.V. and the best Black Business Woman 1997 – will give a workshop on empowerment and entrepreneurship. This workshop aims to equip participants with some fundamental knowledge, tools and skills essential for business for starters.
• Presentation: Mr. T. Kofi – Director of the Foundation Africa Next Door – will talk about the consumption trends of Black people and its consequences. Mr. Kofi will show the correlation between the African continent and Black communities worldwide. Participants or the audience will have an opportunity to ask questions or share their opinion. Amongst others, there will be a debate/discussion on “Does our culture inhibit us to enterprise?” during the discussion round.

When: Friday, 25th February 2011
Venue: Erasmus University Rotterdam,
C-Building, Room CB-109
Doors open: at 16.30
The programme starts: at 17:00
Entrance: Free
Language: English and Dutch
Pre-Registration is appreciated, please sent a mail to info@asah-eur.nl

We, ASAH, look forward to celebrate Black History Month 2011 with you! For further info: visit www.asah-eur.nl

Black History Month 2011 is presented in collaboration with NiNsee (Nationaal instituut Nederlands slavernijverleden en erfenis) see: www.ninsee.nl

The break: Blogging Black from the Netherlands and how I became an Afro-European

Ground level Ganzenhoef Amsterdam Bijlmer
I am going to take a break, but of course blogger Sibo wil continue to post his views on Afro-Europe. But before I leave I would like to share some of my toughts and experiences about becoming Afro-European and how I started blogging.

A year ago I received an e-mail from someone who wanted to know more about black people in the Netherlands and how I got there.

Of course I have had these question before. I remember a few white Americans stopped me in the city centre of Amsterdam to ask me if I could translate a few English words for them in Dutch. Suddenly they asked me where I came from. “I was born Amsterdam,” I replied. “No, where do you really come from,” they answered. Great people by the way, so I gave them an elevator pitch about the “African-Americans” of Holland.

This post will not be an elevator pitch.

Growing up ignorant in Amsterdam

I grew up almost colourless. Although I knew I was black there was no racism around me that made more aware of it. I was born in Amsterdam before the big Surinamese migration started in 1975, and I lived in a part of Amsterdam which was almost 90 percent white. But luckily my social circle was cultural diverse. I had Dutch, Surinamese, Bi-racial Surinamese, Jewish and Chinese friends.


Moving to the “black” part of Amsterdam, Amsterdam South East (De Bijlmer)

Moving to a black environment was an experience. The place exploded with anti-racism activists, rastas and black culture advocates. Everything was black, including the junkies of course. But it was a tremendous experience. Walking in the Bijlmer in the summer was like walking on a Caribbean Island, black people everywhere.

From an identity point of view the move was gift from God. But since I was born and raised in the Netherlands I actually had to integrate into the black community. Because I also had an uppity Dutch accent (so to speak) this also complicated the challenge to integrate into a society which was a “deep” black Surinamese Caribbean community back then with a lot of black American influences. I was considered "white” of course. But thanks to shooting hoop all winter I managed to get into the pickup basketball games in the summer. And that’s where my black identity journey began. The character in the book “The white boy shuffle” is me.

Becoming “Black” gradually

I also got new friends of course. They introduced me to the black organisation scene, which meant that I got to meet a lot of black artists and black activists and different black people from across Europe. I remember how I got lost when I had to speak to a French black girl, she could hardly speak English and I hardly could speak French.

What I did learn during that period was the way skin colour was perceived. Most of my black friends dated white girls and I dated black girls. The entire racial dimension when past me like a ship in the night, but I would gradually learn the deeper structure of things. I think it’s a part you miss if don’t grow up in a environment where skin colour is like a military rank.

But although my black identity was developing I felt something was missing. It was like watching CNN, but not understanding the background of things. I was missing a deeper understanding of blackness.

My black experience

I knew that my knowledge of blackness wouldn’t come from playing basketball, eating rice and beans, or hanging out with my friends. The difference with my friends was that I had learned nothing at school about colonialism, slavery or even the history of Suriname. I knew it vaguely, but that was it.

Because Suriname lies in South America one of the first books I read was the “Open viens of Latin America” by Eduardo Galeano. I think it’s the book that Venezuelan president Hugo Chaves gave to president Obama. I remember it opened my eyes about the history of Latin American from a left wing point of view. It’s a radical book, but I think a needed a radical view at that time. I read a lot of books about latin American, but later I found out it wasn’t exactly “my” history. Although Suriname lies in South America, it’s in fact a Caribbean country. But I am glad I read it, it’s a classic. Although Galeano could have added some more black history in it.

The book which really took me closer to my roots was “Van Priary tot en met De Kom, the history of resistance in Surinam”, by Sandew Hira. Hira is the Surinamese version of Eduardo Galeano. although he didn’t made me wear a dashiki, he did gave me a deeper understanding of the black struggle in Suriname and of Dutch colonialism.

The book that shaped by black identity was “Black Skin, white Masks” of French writer Franz Fanon. I think James Baldwin would have said, that it takes you to the dungeons of your black soul. I started reading the book, closed it and opened it again three month later. Fanon dropped an issue that I never thought of before, one of his famous lines is, a black person wants to be white. But he made me feel at ease by explaining that it was a logical consequence of slavery and colonialism that I could have these feelings. But after finishing his book he didn’t leave me with the feeling that I wanted to be white, but he did leave me with the question: why should I be proud to be black if being black meant having a twisted black frustrated mind.

Fanon's book really gave me a Teflon layer so to speak, but as African scholar once said: it didn’t cure Fanon. Did it add to my black identity yes, to my Afro-Dutch identity, no.

Becoming Afro-Dutch?

I don’t have an Afro-Dutch identity, I have a Surinamese-Dutch identity. Saying you’re Dutch to a Surinamese person is sometimes even considered an insult. I think the mayor difference between the French and the British is that the Dutch were more preoccupied with trade then with assimilating slaves into Dutch Culture. Not very a long ago in the Netherlands children from foreign countries could get lessons in their own language and culture during school time. Comfy together, or as they say in Dutch “gezellig bij elkaar” with your own people was the Dutch mantra for integration. Foreign films in Holland are not voiced over as in France or Germany, but subtitled. But the perception about integration and minorities has changed now.

Being Surinamese-Dutch feels like belonging to a cult group, and to be honest I am comfortable with it.

I am going to take a giant leap forward in time.

Blogging and becoming Afro-European

Fast forward two years ago. Before I started blogging about Afro-Europe I was focused on the Netherlands. Although I had met black people from different countries in Europe and Africa, I had virtually no deep knowledge of their backgrounds. Even on holidays in Europe I was running to see the buildings, or other tourist places. A market full of black people in London doesn’t differ much from a market in Amsterdam-South East.

Like most holidays I focused on the beach, or on sight seeing. There is hardly time to actually meet black people in their countries. Before you know it, you’re home in the rat race again.

The inspiration for Afro-Europe began after an interview I did with an Afro-German woman. I am not going to say who it is, but if she reads this: thanks for the inspiration and your mind blowing insights. Although I had met French, British and African people it never came to mind that there were actually black people in Germany, although Germany is the neighbouring country of the Netherlands. What also inspired me was the blog Black Women in Europe.

One of the books I read was the book of Noah Sow, "Deutschland Schwarz Weiss - der alltägliche Rassismus" (Germany Black White - the everday racisme"). The thing I got out this book was the subtle racism I had never seen before. It was as if different lights went on on the same stage. I saw objects I had never noticed before. The little black boy on my cornflakes box who was surrounded by African Elephants and zebras, were thinks I hardly noticed before. To me they were just part of yet an another “Africa” contest campaign. But after reading Sow’s book I realized that there is an implicit racist connection when black kids are portrayed with African animals. Her book made me more aware that I was living in a society with hidden and sometimes even subliminal racist images. I somehow felt as ignorant as the day I moved to Amsterdam-South East. It was strange to get this information out of German book. And yes, these images were floating around me in the Netherlands.

Then I got a mail from Belgium. My name is Sibo and I would like to contribute. It was again strange to find out there was a person from another country who wrote about everything I always wanted to write about, but couldn’t. I was again interested to see new a perspective from a black person from Belgium. But he has something I don’t have, a close connection to Africa.

Identity

To me being Afro-European is not the same as being a Dutch black person. I’d like see as an element of it. I’m different from a black British Caribbean or African person. Growing up black in a class structured society is perhaps different from growing up in the egalitarian Netherlands. Growing up black in a French society where showing your black colours was in conflict with the all-people-are-French ideal is very different from my black experience. And being Afro-German is also different because it’s small community in a big white country with an infamous racial history.

But my Afro-European element what I perhaps share with other Afro-Europeans is that I want to have a piece of the country where I was born and raised in. It’s position I don’t even have to defend. Being black and European means that I also have an Afro-European connection on issues like race, black success and other specific black issues. But there is one issue that I consider very important, I don’t only have connection with Afro-Europe, but also with Africa.


How I became African, again

I don’t know if it sounds familiar, but although I read the ‘positive’ books about Africa I still remained biased. I read books about Africa, about the copper masks of the Yorubas and about the monument of great Zimbabwe, but still it looked as if they were compensations for the daily reality I saw on TV. The images of the machetes in Rwanda, the hunger, the child soldiers and the corrupt leaders. If in Europe one person dies it almost seemed similar to 500 deaths in Africa. As if large scale deaths is a natural thing in Africa. That was ignorant me two years ago when if first started blogging.

Thanks to all those wonderful African blogs I know that “Africa” doesn’t exits and that my lack of interest and knowledge made me stereotype a whole continent. It reminds of the silent Nigerian basketball player who trained in my basketball team. I never asked him anything about Nigeria. If you read this Femi, sorry for being so, “basketball minded”? Or the African woman who asked me the direction, and while we were talking I asked her about the “war” in a country in Africa which I had seen on TV. “No that’s not my country, that’s another system,” she replied while shaking her head. If you read this, sorry.

I can honestly say that blogging has changed my perspective on African countries and Africans completely. I have never visited Africa, but the slave fort Elmina where my ancestors left Africa will not be on my visiting list. There is so much more to see then a broken down slave fort, a fort which is just one leave on the tree of Africa.

Has blogging about Afro-Europe changed you?

A lot. I can’t go back blogging on a national level because I have seen, heard and experienced so much of the Afro-European community. I’ve seen people who would outsmart me ten times. I’ve seen successful initiatives that could be copied in other European countries with the same results. And I’ve seen a media landscape which could be a goldmine and powerful network if they would only touch each other.

Two years ago I lived in the dungeon of my own community, today I have new and different perspective. If I was a community consultant I think I would be the one with all the great and successful ideas. I won’t go into personal details, but the blogging has even changed me on a professional level. Blogging Afro-European means reading French, German and Spanish and of course English again, so working on my languages was also a good training.

Is this the end?

No, I think it’s just a break.

Best wishes for 2011!

Erik K.

Video: Nicole Bus: new neo-soul talent from Holland

Last week singer-songwriter Nicole Bus won the 25th anniversary edition of Holland’s longest running music competition “De Grote Prijs van Nederland” (" The Grand Prize of the Netherlands"). The competition was the launching point for many of Hollands major artists.

According to her Bio Nicole Bus (Dutch/Dutch-Antillean) is a soulful singer-songwriter with a raw and authentic sound. At age eleven Nicole started writing and composing her own songs. Her music is a presentation of her believes and deepest felt emotions.

Video of Nicole Bus's winning performance at “De Grote Prijs van Nederland” ("The Grand Prize of the Netherlands") in Paradiso


In 2006 she performed as opening act for the American gospel singer Canton Jones.

Recently Nicole finished a tailor made training program called ‘Harvest Me’ organized by De Nieuwe Oogst led by Tasha’s World. At the end of this program all the participating artists had the opportunity to present themselves in an unique showcase at the new Dutch music conference Buma Rotterdam Beats to a panel of judges from a varying range of international music institutions (universal music GB, warner/ chappell music NL, badboy records US).All the judges present were awestruck by Nicoles performance and praised her uk/us sound.



Nicole Bus's official website at www.nicolebus.nl

Spike Lee talks to black filmmakers and fans in Amsterdam

Spike Lee was in Amsterdam. On Tuesday he also talked in Amsterdam South East (the Bijlmer) with young Dutch black filmmakers and fans.

Spike Lee was at the Stadsschouwberg Amsterdam as a guest of The John Adams Institute and Binger Film Lab on December 14th, to talk about his work, politics, race, identity and inspiration. And to promote his book with photographs and interviews of his success film "Do the right thing".



The newspaper Het Parool and Radio Netherlands Worldwide reported some of the questions, answers and quotes of the meeting in Amsterdam South East with the black filmmakers and fans. You can listen to some audio here.

Question from the audiance: why are there so few black actors in science fiction films. And what can young Antilleans and Surinamese learn from the African-American civil rights struggle.

Spike Lee: "I am a filmmaker, not Obi Wan Kenobi. What I do know is that education is the key to a better future. In America there are more black boys in jail then on high school. I hope things are better here."

When asked if the negative portrayal of African-Americans has come to an end now that Obama is president, Lee replied: "blacks in films are rappers, drug dealers or just idiots. That hasn’t changed, not even after Obama."

Lee continued: "American films influence the way people in the entire world talk, walk and think. But the gatekeepers in Hollywood protect the influence. Will Smith is almost the biggest star of the whole world, but he also has no access to the real power."

Lee tells his audience that it is likely that Obama will not be re-elected. "There are more death threats against Obama than any of the previous presidents of America. And that's of course because he is colored."

One of the fans of Spike Lee's is Irish Verwey. She agrees with Spike Lee that you have use your own talent to make the film you want. "There is talent," says Verwey, "but it is not bundled. This was a great moment of inspiration to achieve something together. Spike Lee does not have to come and help us, we must do it ourselves."

But Spike Lee has promised he will return to Amsterdam to attend a premiere of a Dutch black film.

Charl Landvreugd - An artist-in-residence experience in Amsterdam Bijlmer - 13/12/2010

On Monday 13th of December Dutch artist Charl Landvreugd will present his new work Atlantic Transformerz 2010 and discuss his experience in the BijlmAIR residency, where he stayed for four months (sept-dec 2010) during the production of the work.

BijlmAIR is an artist-in-residence programme run by Centrum Beeldende Kunst Zuidoost (CBK Zuidoost), Stedelijk Museum Bureau Amsterdam and Stichting Flat. Door open: 19.30h, start: 20.00h. Language of the evening: Dutch. Free entrance

The making of Atlantic Transformerz 2010 - Inspired by the
gathering of people from the African diaspora in the Bijlmer in Amsterdam, he unites the four continents around the Atlantic in this video


Landvreugd is a Dutch artist, born in Suriname and raised in Rotterdam.
Aesthetically, politically, theoretically as well as practically, black is
the base colour in his practice. The artist has studied at the Goldsmiths
College (London) and Columbia University (NYC), and now continues his
investigations of black and Blackness. He explores the plurality of black
hues and advocates for distinctions in black diversity. Inspired by the
gathering of people from the African diaspora in the Bijlmer, he unites the
four continents around the Atlantic in the video work Atlantic Transformerz
2010.

In his presentation Landvreugd makes connections with the legacy of the
Continental Black European thinkers Frantz fanon and Edgar Cairo. He is
inspired by the concept Ujamaa (extended family), Sun Ra, The Transformers,
Star Wars, the 90’s club-scene, Bruce Weber’s portrayal of the male body,
and the music videos by Hype Williams. These Afro-Futuristic and
postcolonial elements constitute the context of his work.


Artists website at www.charll.com

Stedelijk Museum Bureau Amsterdam at www.smba.nl

Video: Jayanti – “Girl from Mars” (Netherlands)

Jayanti, a new talented songstress on the block. She is from Rotterdam (The Netherlands) and she has the best of both Surinamese worlds, Hindu and Creole. The video was released in October and maybe this is the start of something new.