‘Tackling slavery today’ | What you say

Mayor Halsema of Amsterdam has already apologized for the involvement of the city council in the slavery past. The respondents find this unnecessary. “It is nonsensical to make excuses for the actions of previous generations in a different time, is the prevailing opinion. According to the Advisory Board Dialogue Group on Slavery History, the State should apologize for ‘slavery and the slave trade that the Dutch were guilty of until 1863’. One voter responds: “Half the world was engaged in slavery at the time. Insane to see people as commodities but not something we have to apologize for over 150 years later.” An overwhelming majority of voters share this view: “Things and views from the distant past can no longer be corrected. Why should people who have not committed a crime apologize to people who have not committed that crime,” said one participant.

Many cite historical events: “We were not born yet, it is history, and yes with the eyes of now it is ashamed, but do we get an apology from Spain for their crimes here?” It’s pointless to dwell in the past. “The people who have enslaved other people are dead, as are the former slaves and their children. Acknowledgment is necessary, but no excuse.”

A small proportion of voters believe that making an apology is the only way to acknowledge suffering and to be able to move on: “A lot of suffering has been done and the consequences can still be seen today. There is tremendous power in sincerely asking for forgiveness and making excuses.” This respondent shares his experience: “I once asked forgiveness from an Indonesian diplomat on behalf of the Netherlands. An open conversation with mutual respect was the result.” Another adds: “You cannot erase the past. You can learn from it and do justice to those who have suffered. There is still racism and this is a start to rectify that.”

However, many fear that it will not be just an apology: “After an apology, we are going to demand reparations, and where does it end?” And: “A compensation to whom? The relatives of centuries later? Does this make sense? As long as it no longer happens in the present.”

The voters agree on that. It is often said that it would be better to focus on fighting modern slavery. “Let’s use all this energy to eradicate slavery from today. Starting with the boycott of the World Cup in Qatar. Human trafficking must also be given full attention,” said one voter. More attention should also be paid to the history of slavery in history lessons, say 40 percent. “It is important that teaching is open and honest, so that also clearly show the less beautiful things. Let’s learn from what was not good in the past and use it to do better in the present and in the future.”

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