In the Netherlands the abolition of Slavery is celebrated with a national memorial on July 1st. In honor of this, ASAH paid a visit to the National Institute for the Study of Dutch Slavery and its Legacy (NiNsee). On June 20^th 2008 a group of interested ASAH members went to NiNsee in Amsterdam. We were received at 11 o’clock at the Dam to walk the Slave Route. Because of the background information we received during this Route, we were able to view Amsterdam’s historical buildings in a new light. The ‘Gouden Bocht’ (Golden Turn) is the prestigious part of the ‘Herengracht’ (Gentleman’s Lane). Several buildings of former slave traders were situated here. It also became clear that the Golden Age is more known for its wealth and less for the Slave Trade that took place. Christianity played an important part and many black slave were baptized. We have been to several buildings were black were baptized in the past. It was believed that being a Christian would make it less of an arduous experience to be a slave.

Next we went to the NiNsee to see the exhibition ‘Break through the Silence’. Special attention was paid to Holland’s role during Slavery. The Netherlands played a large role in the Slave Trade. It begins with the discovery of the New World by Columbus in 1492. The New World consists of North- and South-America. It needed many labourers to work on the plantations. The Dutch Slave Trade began in 1621 when the West-Indies Company (WIC) was founded. The WIC dealt in slaves among others. This led to an interesting triangular trade between the Netherlands, the West-Indies and Africa. Slaves were taken from Africa and traded for, among others, beads and broken guns. Many slaves ended up in South-America, Suriname and the Antilles.

Due to the French Revolution, many realised that Slavery did not fit within the mind frame of the Age of Enlightenment. Abolitionists actively opposed Slavery more frequently. It is important to make a clear distinction between Slavery and Slave Trade. After the abolition of the Slave Trade, Slavery continued on for many more years. Separate slaves were used to conceive new slave children. Great-Britain was the first country to abolish the Slave Trade in 1804 and Slavery in 1834. France followed shortly after. The Netherlands abolished Slavery in 1863 as one of the last countries. The Ku Klux Klan was founded in America as a protest against the abolition of Slavery.

Unfortunately a modern form of Slavery still exists today. Especially children and women fall victim to this.

In conclusion we paid a visit to the Slavery Monument in Oosterpark.

There are many books and films about Slavery. We recommend the book ‘The Black Holocaust’ by S.E. Anderson and the movie ‘Amistad’ by director Steven Spielberg.

I would like to close with the following words: It is important to know your own history, but don’t get stuck in the past. Life is too short for that and the present too beautiful.

Diana van der Lugt

ASAH Activities Commissioner 2007 - 2008

© 2008 ASAH