Dutch Colonization and its Modern Implications

 I'm sure I've mentioned my Dutch history class once or twice before, but I'd just like to reiterate that it taught me so much about this country's history than I could even imagine. The one thing that I had no knowledge about was the Netherland's role in colonization and how some of its implications still exist in modern society. 

Like the U.S., the Netherlands is a melting pot of different cultures, ethnicities, nationalities, etc. With this being said, the cause of this is the grim result of colonization. 

Our history professor told us about how the country was built by colonized and enslaved peoples who were the ones that brought in the majority of the revenue.The Dutch were internationally known as the most powerful country in the 17th Century with the Dutch East India Company (VOC). This time was known as the "Golden Age," a term that has attracted controversy in the last decade. Lots of art came from this time period, falsely depicting the pragmaticism, the pleasantry, peacefulness, tolerance of society. Across the country, museums have taken the "Golden Age" label off this part of history because it was not in fact golden - it was strewn with slavery. The Dutch took pride in their colonial accomplishments. 

the building where the VOC was founded 

a painting depicting a Dutch colony in Brazil in the Rijksmuseum

a map of a Dutch colony in Indonesia in the Rijksmuseum 

Walking along Prince's Canal in city centre, you can see the very building in which the VOC was founded. The Golden Coach used by the Dutch royal family has a painting of what looks like enslaves people all crowded around a woman on a throne. 

The painting on the Golden Coach used annually by the family of Orange

 https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/netherlands-retire-carriage-dutch-golden-coach-180975791/

The most abominable event that still occurs annually around the holidays is the celebration of St. Nicholas with his companion, Zwarte Piet ("Black Pete"). This folklore event has people doing black face across the country. 

Before I came to the Netherlands, I had no knowledge about Dutch colonial history and the very casual racism built into modern society. After taking my history class, I quickly realized that such colonialism and implications are still very much present today. I've never passed so many Surinamese restaurants in my life than I have here but it's because Surinam was a Dutch colony. Indonesia, another heavily colonized place, is heavily influenced by Dutch culture. And of course, Zwarte Piet is a consequence the acceptance of colonialism, and thus, racism. 

The Netherlands has a dark past and should own up to their mistakes in order to move forward and do better.