Happy to be a Yiu di Korsow in Holland?

[Charlton Monsanto]

I am interested in hearing your opinion as this is a topic that concerns me...and probably most of you too...

In 1986 when I arrived in Holland (Den Haag) to live there and go to school I met a lot of "Hollanders" who were genuinely interested in were I was from, how different it was, what it looked like, etc. But there were also a lot of stupid and ridiculous questions and comments that were very insulting, which meant that I never felt comfortable, or part of the crowd. I was fortunate in having a great group of other "Yiunan di Korsow" that were there with me (Ronnie DeMei, Rene Boetmi, Carlos Badaracco, Ramon Koffijberg, Dennis Day, Frank Dap, Marlon Sytsma, and others). Now again, this is not a generalization, there were a lot people I did get along with (except Ramon Koffijberg).

Anyway, in the last twenty years it sounds (and reads) like things are much worse with respect to our "Antilliaanse" reputation and what the average Dutch person thinks about us. When you read the bad press in the Dutch newspapers you can't blame them either, but it really feels bad hearing the things that some of our "brethren" are doing. Unfortunately, as with everything else in life, it only takes one person's actions to ruin the reputation of the rest of the group or community. Now we have jokes being made about "Antilliaanen" just like jokes used to be made about "De Belgen" and "De Marokaanen". How did it get this whay? I recently received a file from a good friend that was about "De Rode Duif". I am not sure if the creator intended it to be funny or not, but it was not funny to me - it was actually depressing. I have a link to it below.

Download Rode_Duif.pps

I was lucky to have the option/choice to leave Holland, and owe my parents big time for giving me that choice. But most other Yiunan di Korsow did not, and do not, have that choice. I wonder what it is like now to be living or studying in Holland. I am sure it is different depending on what city you live in. But I wonder what the overall average feeling is?

It is only human nature to generalize and assume things - we all do it - so it is only natural that with all the "negative and bad press" the average Hollander makes certain "preconceived" assumptions about a Yiu di Korsow when they meet one now. And when people make assumptions it doesn't matter whether you live, behave, and communicate respectfully, you're automatically associated or compared to the ones that make the nightly news and papers...

Here in Philadelphia I am proud of stating that I am from Korsow. In fact, I am proud to say that I am from Korsow anywhere, whether they know where it is or not. (I hate having to say "it is next to Aruba"...but oh well...)

So, for those who lived and are living in Holland now, is it sometimes embarrasing to state that you are a Yiu di Korsow?

[Elizabeth Francisco]

I decided to subscribe to this network just so I can reply to your blog. I believe that you were indeed lucky to choose to pursue your studies in another country. I myself have been living here since 2001 and I never felt at home. I live in Amsterdam, which to me is the best place to live in Holland, hands down. Whenever I try to fool myself into believing that it isn't too bad to live here, I immedaitely get a reality check when I read the newspaper or watch television and see how we the Anilleans are ridiculed.

I am certainly not embarrased to state where I'm from and most people I know aren't either, but we get tired of being stereotyped and having to defend ourselves constantly, especially since Dutch people are extremely ignorant. I am constantly asked the same stupid questions you were asked in the eighties. The insults I hear regularly are more than enough reasons why I could never make this place my permanent home. The problem is that the Dutch do not teach their children anything about the history of the Antilles. When the first wave of Antilleans went to the Netherlands in the sixties and seventies, the Dutch just had to deal with them. They looked around and there we were walking on their streets, eating their foods and doing their jobs, but they did not know why were were there and how come and even who we were (they still don't).

They have no idea what the "Nederlandse Antillen" are about. They have no idea about their role in the slave trade with the West India Company and of course their role as slave keepers. So this ignorance goes way back.

Thus, part of me wants to get mad, however, part of me cannot blame someone for simply not knowing. On the other hand I do get mad at those in power, those who do know and choose to keep quiet and use that to their advantage. As long as we, the "allochtonen", in general take the heat for the problems in this country they, the Dutch, do not have to focus on their shortcomings. Many people move here because they believe that it is a tolerant place where everyone is accepted. This is a lie the Dutch can certainly learn a thing or two about freedom and do not even get me started on the myth of tolerance in the Nethelands. The people of this country are indiffirent towards one another, which is a very dagerous thing especially when indifference is confused tolerance.

That's it. I have to go write my thesis now. How's your wife doing? I met her in Curacao in the summer. She's very lovely. We haven't formally met. I am the sister of Jaime, Aimee's husband.