Remembrance, Commemorations and Apologies
The Dutch Context and implications for other European nations
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51427/com.jcs.2024.05.0003Keywords:
Atlantic chattel slavery, Dutch transatlantic trade, Black Europe, CommemorationsAbstract
Viewed through the lens of public history as the conduit between academia (comprising research, scholarship, and higher education) and broader society (encompassing media, educational institutions, museums, and political discourse), the Dutch involvement in the Atlantic chattel slavery system emerges as a deeply contentious terrain. Central to this contention is the stark reality that, despite its pivotal role in the historical fabric of the Dutch state and identity, chattel slavery has long been relegated to the periphery of scholarly inquiry and public historical narratives, a phenomenon I will elaborate on. Suffice it to say, a critical focal point necessitates scrutiny: the nature and dissemination of knowledge within academia and its subsequent transmission to the public sphere. Despite enduring marginalization, mounting public pressure in recent times from various segments of Dutch society has prompted a reevaluation and revisitation of chattel slavery and its enduring repercussions. While these developments are distinctly Dutch, their resonance extends beyond national borders, resonating with counterparts across Europe. Chattel slavery transcended the confines of the Netherlands, constituting a broader European dilema. In this article I will discuss, as already mentioned, the implications of the Dutch transatlantic trade, characterised by colonisation, enslavement and systemic economic exploitation, in which several European powers competed for dominance.
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