Feb
19
2010
Racial Discrimination and the Workplace in the Netherlands
Author: Carolyn van Es-VinesAs you may know from previous posts, I’ve connected to a sisterhood of black women from around the world. Sister Sista hooks up once a month to eat good food, have live discussions about everything from politics to the latest celebrity gossip. One of our newest members sent this provocative email out to the group:
Dear Sistas,
I am new to Holland ( 2 weeks) and I am in need of your opinions/observatio n/comments on the matter of colour prejudice and the job market in Holland.
I was speaking to a black colleague of mine who has lived in Holland for 11 years now and she warned me of covert discrimination when seeking a job based on my skin colour. She lived in the US prior to living in Holland. She told me that it is a harsh reality here and I must be prepared to encounter and handle it in my job search.
As I am new to the country, I have no compass on which to gauge her comments. Is she talking from her very bad experiences that is unique only to her? Or does she have a valid point and I should prepare myself for the worse?
Luckily for me, I have this group of Sistas that I can ask the following question. “Ïn your opinion, is racial discrimination when seeking a job prominent in this country?’ In other words, should I expect to NOT get a job offer simply because I turned up at the job interview “while being black”?
Thanks for your replies in advance.
This was my response:
A quick reply to your question about discrimination in the workplace. I worked for a language school and at University College Utrecht, and I can honestly say that I never perceived any discrimination. At both places I was treated well and fairly by colleagues, bosses and clients/students alike. That said, it would be foolish to suggest that racial discrimination does not exist in the Netherlands. I’m sure that ignorant individuals abound here just as it does in any and every country. The question to ask is this: to what extent is racial discrimination institutionalized?
I was at the language school for one year, and I was the only woman of African descent. The atmosphere was international, made up mostly of expatriate woman from the UK and other EU countries. There were no people from the Dutch Antilles, Curacao, Aruba or Suriname. Near the top of the professional hierarchy was one British woman. No people of color held positions higher than that of freelance teacher.
The international university where I worked for six years was a small liberal arts college with a student body of about 600. While I was not the only non-Dutch native, I was the only black person. Nor were there too many of us in the student body.The requirements for my position, tutor (or advisor) were an in depth knowledge of the liberal arts system, which was new to the Netherlands at the time. I mention that only because I don’t think too many people from the Dutch Antilles, Curacao, Aruba or Suriname would have been educated in that system and would not know it. The people at the “top” were all Dutch and 99% male.
What I’d like to know is how many people with roots in the Dutch “islands” attend university in the Netherlands? How many graduate? How high up the corporate ladder do they climb?
Since in the Netherlands nationality trumps race, I, as an African American woman, have enjoyed a degree of privilege that a woman from Bonaire might not enjoy. I don’t think the discrimination in the workplace is based solely on race. Social and economic class as well as nationality (not to mention gender) combine to give this issue a complexity that needs to be addressed.
And here’s the response from another lady in the group:
First of all, welcome to the Netherlands. It is an interesting topic of discussion and I just wanted to share with you my experience as a Dutch Antillean.
I was born in Curacao, lived in Dominica, Guadeloupe and finally St.Maarten where I completed my primary and secondary education in English. I moved to the Netherlands at the age of 18 to complete my university education in International Business & Economics (in the english stream). So when I arrived in the Netherlands, my Dutch was basically non-existant.
I honestly cannot say that I experienced any racial discrimination. My experience is that if you speak the language and make an effort to integrate, you will be welcomed by the Dutch. My husband is Italian and we both work for international organisations, so our life in the Netherlands tends to lean mostly on the expatriate lifestyle. Since we intend to integrate our 2 year old daughter into the dutch society, that will give us more opportunity to integrate with the dutch and to feel part of the society.
In conclusion, I would say, it’s what you make of the experience here. Use a positive approach and I’m sure you’ll be fine.
February 19th, 2010 at 21:45
[...] and would not know it. The people at the “top” were all … Originally posted here: Racial Discrimination and the Workplace in the Netherlands | black … Share and [...]
February 22nd, 2010 at 19:21
“Since in the Netherlands nationality trumps race, I, as an African American woman, have enjoyed a degree of privilege that a woman from Bonaire might not enjoy. I don’t think the discrimination in the workplace is based solely on race. Social and economic class as well as nationality (not to mention gender) combine to give this issue a complexity that needs to be addressed.”
I was just about to raise that point, as well. In France, at least, as well as in Germany, nationality trumps race and people see me as an American first. With that comes a multitude of steroetypes, both positive and negative. I’ve not experienced racism in the aforementioned two countries, but I know Africans and Caribbean people who did.
February 22nd, 2010 at 20:37
Hi Diasporique,
the funny part is that some Dutch people can’t “place” me. When I say I’m from America, some people will reply, “South America?” I’ve also had older Dutch people assume I’m from Suriname. But I’ve yet to encounter any negativity based on color. I do find it a bit troubling that for the Dutch (perhaps also for other European countries) American continues to be synonymous with white. On the other hand, quite a few Dutch people who’ve spent significant time in America has confessed that they find American culture interesting BECAUSE of black culture. It’s really quite intriguing. Your comment gives me much to think about! Thanks.
February 22nd, 2010 at 21:32
That’s really interesting…I’ve noticed that French people always ask if I’m from the French Caribbean first. They seem confused initially and usually guess Guadeloupe or Dominica before I finally tell them I’m African-American. I think that may be because in France they’re used to encountering Africans and aren’t exposed to many Black people outside of that. In Germany, they can immediately “see” that I’m African-American. My German friend said he can “see” the difference because there are so many African-American soldiers in Germany, that he can “just see it”.
Another young lady in France, a fellow blogger, said she encountered the same thing on the part of the French.
When I was still in Harlem, we got a lot of Dutch tourists there for some reason. They usually went to the church (Abyssinian), though I’m not sure of why…that never quite sat well with me. They really liked checking out the jazz clubs and touring the brownstones to take pictures. We seemed to receive more Dutch tourists than any other group. I always wondered how present African-American culture is in the Netherlands.
February 22nd, 2010 at 21:52
Hi Diasporique,
that’s a good question. I think that the Dutch are quite intrigued by American culture and Americans in general. It’s a great time to be an American living in the Netherlands. “Black” movies are broadcast in primetime television, albeit months and months late. I’ve seen all of Queen Latifah’s movies, for example. Entertainers like Snoop Dog have shown up in commercials with Dutch singers. I’ve been going to George Clinton concerts for about 5 years now, and I’ll tell you that the vast majority of the audience is white and, I’m assuming, Dutch. Like other European nations, the Netherlands was overwhelmingly in favor of Obama. Now, I can’t say for sure that it’s because he’s black; it could also be because he wasn’t Bush!!! Anyway…. how long were you in Europe and what made you go back to the States?
February 24th, 2010 at 16:05
Hey Carolyn,
I’m praying that the Dutch don’t look at Snoop Dog and think he’s representative of African-American culture, lol (I’m really praying that they don’t). I don’t even see our culture in him. Miles Davis, Coltrane, Langston Hughes…yes. Snoop Dog, NOOOOO. I’ve been in Europe off and on for about six years now. I went back to the States for my undergraduate studies and again when France became overwhelming, but I always manage to return to Europe and I may stay here. I love the slower lifestyle and “safer” communities (not crime-free, but a lot safer than what I’m used to in the US). And the ability to travel between countries with relative ease. I also like living in a place that’s not so obsessed with the concept of “race”. That doesn’t mean that France doesn’t have its racism, but it’s a lot more subtle and more complex and a far cry from what I’ve experienced in the US.
In France, my heritage has been an asset, because the French are very aware of African-American culture/legacy. I’m thankful for that.
February 24th, 2010 at 20:39
Hi Diasporique,
good point about Snoop Dog !!!! And, yes, I feel the same way about the slower pace and safer communities. I’m not sure about France, but in Holland, stores are closed on Sundays (except in the major cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht). I used to hate not being able to shop, but now I love not doing anything on Sunday. It’s a day I cherish because I get to spend it with my family. Of course, there are things in America that I prefer, like the convenience of just about everything as well as the unparalleled customer service. I don’t know France very well, but what I’ve seen, I like. I’ve only been to a few cities on vacation, but I understand why the French are so “arrogant” (at least that’s how the Dutch see them). With their culture and history, they have every reason to be! Thanks, Diasporique, for your comments and “conversation”.
March 14th, 2010 at 17:25
You all missed the discrimination of blacks in the Netherlands. In the late seventies and early eighties of the last century they were seen as lazy and exploiting the Dutch social system. Even though they now have brought us roti and Jorgen Raymann. When they integrated they were replaced by the next wave of immigrants the Antillians. And when the Antilleans were no longer a threat the Moroccan’s became the next problem.
The Dutch do have a discriminating nature, Geert Wilders shouting every criminal Moroccan should be deported, there are more Moroccan youth unemployed than Dutch, in relation to the percentage of the working population. Even the statute of the Dutch Kingdom (1954) discriminated against the white Dutch that wanted to work in the overseas parts. They needed “visas” to work overseas.
But as said not everybody discriminates against race or nationality. It often is more a discrimination against social status. An example of this is the fact that most affluent Antilleans come to study in the Netherlands and often stay here and have successful careers, because there is not enough work for university schooled employees in the Antilles. But when the poor Antilleans came to the Netherlands in the eighties and nineties of the twentieth century, they had trouble finding jobs and where seen as exploiting the Dutch welfare system. The main reason they had trouble finding jobs were their poor language skills. On the other hand they brought us the summer carnival of Rotterdam.
In the end all you can say about discrimination is that it is a normal human activity. You should not take it personal as it says more about the one discriminating then about the one being discriminated against. It often is more a signal that people have a problem that they do not want to research and want an easy answer for, than that it is at the core of their personality.
March 15th, 2010 at 18:17
Hi Norman,
What you said is key: integration. Once Indonesians, Turks and Antilleans integrated they were embraced. For the Dutch, learning the language is crucial to integration. In a lot of ways, I’ve integrated. I’m not saying that’s right or wrong because in America, integration is a very loaded and not always positive term. But I’ve made an effort to speak the language and interact with the people. I’m lucky because America is “privileged”. That said, we all have to be wary of discrimination. Today it’s against the Moroccans or Muslims in general (also in America) and tomorrow it’s Americans or Africans or Bulgarians or whatever. I do wish the Dutch would question the roots of their discrimination a bit more. No one in my circle supports Wilders. In fact, my friends and family dismiss him and his platform. Again, I wish they’d question the roots of it rather than blowing him off. Thanks, Norman, for the information.
March 15th, 2010 at 21:28
That ability to not question your own believes is rather strong in Dutch society. Some people say its because we live on such a small space and needed each other to fight the next watershed when a dyke broke. But you can find the same behavior in other countries where they have space enough and do not have to be afraid of the next watershed.
I find it has more to do with the wish of the Dutch politicians for a quiet and friendly live. A comment by the prime minister might explain. He asks for the return of the VOC mentality (VOC stands for United East Indian Company) a company that used force when needed to ensure its interests. I wonder if a Christian leader of a country should use such images to motivate its citizens. It seems to speak of everything goes in love, war and commerce. Not something we need in a world on the brink of destruction by corporate misdoings. But it also says something about the wish of politicians to have others do the heavy work. So Dutch politicians do not fight for quality education in which people can achieve their highest potential, they only fight for how much can we save on education. And what you get is an educational system that has not made a big dent in the social structure of the Netherlands. Rich parents still send their children to University, where poor parents send their children to vocational education. (results from PhD research from Radboud University Nijmegen).
You can also read it in the comments Dutch give on weblogs, if it is going to be more than five words you often get a rant. If you want an intelligent response you better write your blog in English, because most Dutch that rant have trouble writing coherent English sentences as well as Dutch. And where the American and English culture has something of a self criticizing habit, the Dutch love the saying: Do not hang out your dirty linen. So even when someone tells about the fact that contractors are cooperating to keep the prices high, he is sued for having been a director of one of those contractors. And of course the American system of running to the judge for everything that has been done wrong to you has went over the top, it is clearly better than a system in which the expert can act as if nothing happened and an apology is to expensive. Such a system does not create people who will look critical at what they do and think.