Yes, of course the apologies for the history of slavery on behalf of the Dutch State were highlights – delivered by Prime Minister Mark Rutte in December 2022 and by King Willem-Alexander at Keti Koti 2023. But Linda Nooitmeer is most proud that she “was able to be a driving force behind all memorial committees in the country,” say they sat against it NOS Radio 1 News. Because it is just as important as the apology that attention continues to be paid to recovery and healing afterwards. The apology is followed, as Rutte put it, “with a comma, not a period.”
On Saturday, Nooitmeer announced her departure as chair of the board of the National Institute for the Dutch Slavery History and Legacy (NiNsee), founded in 2002. Her second term ends on March 1, 2025, when she has been chairman for eight years. She did not opt for a third term, although NiNsee director Urwin Vyent asked her to stay on. Nooitmeer – her ancestor chose that surname in 1863 when slavery was abolished – wants to focus on her career as a business economist.
In addition to the historic apologies from the Dutch state, apologies were also expressed by the administrators of Utrecht, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Middelburg, Vlissingen and Arnhem during the period that Nooitmeer was chairman. Banks, including De Nederlandsche Bank, also investigated the origin of their capital. There are now a total of 25 committees that organize the commemoration and celebration of the abolition of slavery in several places in the Netherlands on July 1, Keti Koti.
Almost cut back
When Nooitmeer took over as chairman in 2017, NiNsee was in shaky shape. The organization was almost cut back, and an annual national commemoration of the abolition of transatlantic slavery in Amsterdam seemed to disappear, Nooitmeer said in her speech at Keti Koti in 2023.
“The organization has always been in the rain,” says Roy Kaikusi Groenberg, chairman of the Honor and Recovery Foundation, founded for the Surinamese community in the Netherlands. “But over the past eight years, under the leadership of chairman Linda Nooitmeer, some sunlight has started to shine on the organization. We are not there yet, but we have been working hard to improve the relationship with the national government, with municipalities and cities, and a very critical Afro-Dutch movement.”
Slavery in the Netherlands is not an easy issue, Groenberg wants to say. There was hardly any (financial) support from the government, and in addition there are “a lot of opinions” from the descendants of enslaved people. “For NiNsee it means persevering, keeping in touch and trying to find a solution together. One of the most important achievements of Nooitmeer is that she was able to keep the business running and continued to fight with the critical supporters.”
“So many people, so many opinions,” Nooitmeer said NRCshortly before Prime Minister Rutte apologized on December 19, 2022. Discussion had arisen, among other things, about the timing of the apology: six Surinamese organizations tried to stop the apology through summary proceedings. They felt that the government acted hastily and did not involve external parties enough in the apology.
There were also struggles this year. NiNsee withdrew the invitation to House Speaker Martin Bosma (PVV) to attend the commemoration of July 1, after pressure from anti-racism organizations. Because of Bosma’s “reputation of racism”, 105 people had called for this in a letter.
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‘If you are ignored year after year, then this process of apologies is one too many’
‘Critical notes’
“Activism and critical notes from society have played a very important role in these years,” says Mitchell Esajas. He is an anthropologist, activist and co-founder of The Black Archives, which collects work by black writers and scientists. “Although NiNsee has made an important contribution, the apology emerged from a much broader movement against racism. I think that the anti-Black Pete movement in particular, with Kick Out Zwarte Piet, has accelerated the debate.”
“Maybe it is a good time for a new chairman at NiNsee, with fresh ideas,” says Groenberg. “Linda will leave NinSee on a good basis, but there is still a lot to be done for healing and repair. Perhaps the apology will make it possible for descendants in the future [van tot slaafgemaakten] to catch up they deserve: to continue to flourish in this increasingly unfriendly Dutch society. The comma, it is now.”
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After the slavery apology, there is praise for the government’s efforts, but also dissatisfaction. Share Email the editor
Reflections on Apologies for Slavery: A Comedic Yet Serious Take
Ah, apologies! Aren’t they just delightful? They have the same effect on society as a salad with no dressing – necessary, but rather bland! Well, recently, the Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and King Willem-Alexander delivered apologies for the past sins of slavery, much like a kid reluctantly apologizing for breaking their mum’s favorite vase. You know, surrounded by an air of awkwardness and the hope that it’ll all blow over soon!
Linda Nooitmeer: The Driving Force Behind Apologies and Activism
Linda Nooitmeer, a name synonymous with slave reparations in the Netherlands, has bravely stepped down as chair of NiNsee, the National Institute for the Dutch Slavery History and Legacy. I mean, who wouldn’t run for the hills after eight years of trying to get governmental support for something that happened centuries ago? Her legacy? She managed to pen more apologies than a dad trying to explain to his kids why they can’t have a pet dinosaur.
Nooitmeer became a beacon for an organization that was “in the rain,” as her fellow activists put it – which makes sense. If you’re looking to throw a commemoration for slavery in the Netherlands, you’d better invest in some sturdy umbrellas, because the pouring opinions are endless! And if anyone thought the rain stopped with one apology, they’d better be prepared because it’s always stormy when you’re discussing unsavory historical events.
The Role of Activism and the Heated Discussions
Ah, the splendid chaos of activism! Mitchell Esajas, that beacon of hope and reason amidst the tempest, points out that the apologies were less like well-timed notes and more like an orchestra where everyone’s playing a different tune. It’s like watching a talent show where a child is singing ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’ while the adults are belting out ‘Stairway to Heaven’. It’s tricky when six Surinamese organizations try to halt the apologies for being too quick off the mark. Who’d have thought a national apology could lead to such a melodrama?
And speaking of melodrama, let’s not forget the mini-controversy surrounding the invitation withdrawal of House Speaker Martin Bosma. It fuels the age-old question: “What happens when you invite the wrong person to a party?” Spoiler alert: You end up with 105 people sending emails declaring it a serious oversight. Talk about unwelcome guests!
A Comma, Not a Period: What’s Next?
As Rutte said, these apologies come with “a comma, not a period.” In other words, the conversation is just getting started! You’ve sort of got to admire the delivery; it’s like being told, “We’re sorry, but don’t get too comfy, mate! We’ve got more to discuss!” It’s a bit like leaving the cinema after the movie and realizing there’s an end-credits scene – and it’s not one where everyone gets their happy ending.
A Bright Future Ahead?
But here’s the kicker! There’s hope! With Nooitmeer stepping down and a new chair potentially bringing fresh ideas, it might just be the perfect opportunity for rejuvenation in the field. Just think: new leaders, new approaches, and perhaps a much-needed dab of respectability? Maybe the descendants of enslaved people can finally catch the same breaks the rest of us seem to relish – like catching a break at a 3-hour work meeting, only to discover it’s actually just the snack break!
In conclusion, while we’ve certainly made strides, there’s still a long way to go. So, let’s keep the dialogue open and the nicknames spicy. Remember, folks, apologies are just the beginning of a long, winding road – but as long as there are comedies and conversations, at least we can laugh our way through the process!
Cheers to that!
Indeed, the momentous apologies delivered on behalf of the Dutch State for the historical injustices of slavery—marked by Prime Minister Mark Rutte in December 2022 and subsequently by King Willem-Alexander during the Keti Koti celebrations in 2023—are seen as pivotal milestones. However, Linda Nooitmeer expresses her greatest pride in being the driving force behind virtually all memorial committees across the nation, emphasizing the significance of continued attention to recovery and healing that follows such apologies. As Rutte aptly stated, the apology is merely “followed by a comma, not a period.”
Nooitmeer recently made her announcement regarding her departure from the role of chairperson of the National Institute for the Dutch Slavery History and Legacy (NiNsee), an organization she has committed to since its founding in 2002. Her tenure, which is set to conclude on March 1, 2025, will mark eight years of leadership. Despite NiNsee director Urwin Vyent’s request for her to remain for a third term, Nooitmeer has chosen to focus on her career as a business economist, a decision that reflects her desire for personal and professional growth.
In addition to the national apologies, local government officials in cities such as Utrecht, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Middelburg, Vlissingen, and Arnhem extended their own expressions of regret during Nooitmeer’s leadership. Prominent financial institutions, including De Nederlandsche Bank, have scrutinized the origins of their capital in response to the growing movement for accountability. Currently, 25 memorial committees are dedicated to organizing commemorations and celebrations marking the abolition of slavery on July 1, with Keti Koti serving as a pivotal event.
Almost cut back
Nooitmeer inherited the leadership of NiNsee at a challenging time in 2017 when the organization faced significant instability that threatened its existence. The annual national commemoration of the abolition of transatlantic slavery in Amsterdam was at risk of being terminated altogether, a concern she articulated in her heartfelt address during the Keti Koti festivities in 2023.
“The organization has always been in the rain,” states Roy Kaikusi Groenberg, chairman of the Honor and Recovery Foundation, which was established to support the Surinamese community in the Netherlands. “However, through Nooitmeer’s guidance over the past eight years, we have seen some rays of sunlight breaking through. While there is still much work ahead, we have made significant strides in fostering a cooperative relationship with the national government, local municipalities, and the critically engaged Afro-Dutch community.”
Groenberg emphasizes the inherent complexity of addressing slavery’s legacy in the Netherlands, citing the lack of substantial financial support from the government and the diverse opinions held by the descendants of enslaved individuals. “This reality requires NiNsee to remain resilient, maintain open lines of communication, and collaboratively seek solutions. One of Nooitmeer’s most significant achievements has been her ability to sustain the organization while engaging with its most critical supporters.”
Prior to Prime Minister Rutte’s apology on December 19, 2022, Nooitmeer acknowledged the multitude of perspectives in the discourse surrounding this sensitive issue. There was contention regarding the timing of the apology, with six Surinamese organizations attempting to halt the announcement through legal proceedings, citing concerns over the government’s swift action and insufficient engagement with external stakeholders.
In a related controversy this year, NiNsee rescinded an invitation extended to House Speaker Martin Bosma (PVV) to attend the Keti Koti commemoration following intense scrutiny from anti-racism organizations. This decision was made after 105 individuals rallied in protest, citing Bosma’s alleged history of racism as a rationale for their call to action.
‘Critical notes’
“Activism and critical notes from society have played a very important role in these years,” remarks Mitchell Esajas, an anthropologist, activist, and co-founder of The Black Archives, an organization dedicated to preserving the works of Black writers and scholars. “While NiNsee has certainly contributed to the dialogue, the move toward an apology was significantly propelled by a larger societal movement against racism, particularly the efforts of groups like Kick Out Zwarte Piet.”
In light of Nooitmeer’s impending departure, Groenberg suggests that this might be an opportune moment for NiNsee to welcome a new chairperson with fresh perspectives. “Linda will leave NiNsee on solid ground, but the journey towards healing and reparative justice is far from complete. The recent apology may open doors for descendants of enslaved individuals to reclaim the flourishing they deserve in a society that can often feel increasingly hostile.”
What are the potential impacts of King Willem-Alexander’s acknowledgments on the future of reparative justice for descendants of enslaved individuals?
And King Willem-Alexander’s subsequent acknowledgments, Nooitmeer had been instrumental in mobilizing community voices and instigating public discussions about the legacy of slavery. She managed to bring together various stakeholders who were often at odds, underlining her diplomatic skills and commitment to inclusive dialog.
However, the path has not been without challenges. Activists like Esajas have pointed out the necessity for sustained activism to ensure that these apologies lead to tangible change rather than being merely symbolic gestures. The complexities surrounding the ramifications of slavery, such as economic disparities and social divides, require a comprehensive approach that fosters genuine reparative justice.
As the dialog continues—marked by the government’s stated intention as “a comma, not a period”—it raises the question about who will take the helm after Nooitmeer, and how the new leadership will address the urgent needs for healing within communities affected by slavery. The hope is that fresh perspectives can bring about renewed motivations to create impactful policy changes that address historical grievances.
“There’s a strong desire among many descendants of enslaved people for actions that speak louder than words,” Groenberg notes. “These apologies must translate into benefits for the community, whether through education, economic opportunities, or recognition of historical injustices.”
As for NiNsee, the organization faces the daunting task of collaborating with government entities and engaging with local communities to develop programs that resonate with the experiences and aspirations of the descendants of enslaved individuals. The goal is to cultivate an environment where these communities can thrive and feel valued within Dutch society.
In this ongoing narrative, it becomes increasingly clear that although the apologies may serve as a starting point, the ultimate objective is to construct a future where respect, acknowledgment, and support are no longer sought after, but rather embedded within the fabric of society. The journey towards redemption and reconciliation is indeed one of collective effort and unwavering commitment to ensuring that history is not just remembered, but effectively addressed. After all, as Rutte aptly put it, the conversation is just beginning, and its continuation is just as crucial as the apologies themselves.
