July 1, 2023: TBA x Keti Koti Festival - 'No Full Stop' Panel Discussion
In December 2022 Prime Minister Rutte offered apologies on behalf of the Dutch state and acknowledged that slavery was ‘crime against humanity’. Apologies have also been offered by the cities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, The Hague, the province of North Holland, and by De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB). The apologies made are a historic milestone, but what happens next? Prime Minister Rutte said, "We are not writing a full stop, but a comma," quoting artist Serana Angelista.
The path to recovery remains unclear because there has not (yet) been a discussion about reparations or restitution measures. This is despite the fact that, at the abolition of slavery, it was not the victims but the perpetrators who received a form of "compensation."
On July 1, 2023, we commemorate the 150/160 year anniversary of the abolition of slavery. On July 1, 1863, slavery was abolished on paper. However, enslaved individuals in Suriname had to continue working until 1873. The "freed" individuals were left empty-handed, and the lasting impact of the history of slavery is still felt and visible to this day.
Apologies are an important historical step, but they are not enough. Descendants of the enslaved have a right to restitution (reparations). The Dutch government has previously pursued restorative justice in cases of atrocities, providing compensation to victims and their descendants. The implementation of the comma can only occur if there is also a conversation about restorative justice and reparations for trans-Atlantic slavery and its ongoing impact in the present.
Apologies, and now what? What should come after the comma?
On July 1, we will engage in a discussion on this topic with some special guests. Serana Angelista, an artist of Curaçaoan descent, will be present. In a 2019 interview about the history of slavery they said, ‘Following the history of slavery of Rotterdam stands not a full stop, but but a comma." Rutte used these words in his speech about the apologies. What do you think should come after the comma? We will have a conversation with Serana Angelista, Jerry Afriyie, Jose Tojo, Sherlien Sanches, and the audience about the process after the comma, healing, and restoration. What do healing and restoration mean to you? In the second part of the program, African-American historian Nikole Hannah-Jones will engage in a conversation with Mitchell Esajas (The Black Archives) and Clarice Gargard (Lilith, journalist) about healing and restoration.
When? July 1, 2023, Keti Koti Festival
Time? 4:15 PM - 5:45 PM
Where? Boni-Tula Tent, Museumplein
The path to recovery remains unclear because there has not (yet) been a discussion about reparations or restitution measures. This is despite the fact that, at the abolition of slavery, it was not the victims but the perpetrators who received a form of "compensation."
On July 1, 2023, we commemorate the 150/160 year anniversary of the abolition of slavery. On July 1, 1863, slavery was abolished on paper. However, enslaved individuals in Suriname had to continue working until 1873. The "freed" individuals were left empty-handed, and the lasting impact of the history of slavery is still felt and visible to this day.
Apologies are an important historical step, but they are not enough. Descendants of the enslaved have a right to restitution (reparations). The Dutch government has previously pursued restorative justice in cases of atrocities, providing compensation to victims and their descendants. The implementation of the comma can only occur if there is also a conversation about restorative justice and reparations for trans-Atlantic slavery and its ongoing impact in the present.
Apologies, and now what? What should come after the comma?
On July 1, we will engage in a discussion on this topic with some special guests. Serana Angelista, an artist of Curaçaoan descent, will be present. In a 2019 interview about the history of slavery they said, ‘Following the history of slavery of Rotterdam stands not a full stop, but but a comma." Rutte used these words in his speech about the apologies. What do you think should come after the comma? We will have a conversation with Serana Angelista, Jerry Afriyie, Jose Tojo, Sherlien Sanches, and the audience about the process after the comma, healing, and restoration. What do healing and restoration mean to you? In the second part of the program, African-American historian Nikole Hannah-Jones will engage in a conversation with Mitchell Esajas (The Black Archives) and Clarice Gargard (Lilith, journalist) about healing and restoration.
When? July 1, 2023, Keti Koti Festival
Time? 4:15 PM - 5:45 PM
Where? Boni-Tula Tent, Museumplein
Pop-up Expo 'No Healing, Without Repair' & Information Stand 'No Full Stop'
The Black Archives can be found all day at Museumplein with a booth and a pop-up exhibition about the hidden history surrounding the end of slavery. At the booth, we sell special books about Keti Koti and Black history. In the pop-up exhibition 'No Healing, Without Repair,' we examine the parliamentary debate on abolition and the heroes who fought for their freedom. The complete exhibition opens on July 8, 2023. You can also share your opinion on what should come after the comma!
