Johan Derksen believes that Wilfred Genee is politically correct in the discussion about reparations for the slavery past. “I think you have to be good on television, don’t you?”
The government’s announced apologies for the Dutch slavery past caused a lot of commotion, especially because of the possible reparations. “I read a survey: 49 percent of the Netherlands is against money being paid to those Surinamese and 33 percent of the Netherlands is in favor,” says Johan Derksen in De Oranjewinter.
‘Claims from Bijlmer’
In the end, it’s all about money, says Johan. “What I predicted has already come true, because at the Knoops family the door is being trampled with Surinamese people who want compensation. They consider themselves descendants of slave parents.”
He continues: “Lawyers of course see trade, because as soon as an apology is offered, it becomes a lot easier to claim compensation. This means that all Surinamese in the Netherlands, apart from the good guys who are just realistic in life, see a business model in it. Everyone from the Bijlmermeer is now coming up with a claim.”
Dollar signs
Johan thinks it all comes across as very unsavory. “It is unsympathetic, wanting to make money from this serious business with dollar signs in the eyes. I think that trend, that hype is totally drunk that apologies have to be made everywhere for things that happened 150 years ago.”
He continues: “There is no one in the Netherlands who is responsible for this. I certainly don’t feel responsible for it and he shouldn’t apologize on my behalf. I hope he says that in Suriname.”
Old white man
Colleague Wilfred Genee: “You are acting a bit like an old white man at the moment. You know that, don’t you?”
Johan: “I behave as I am, Wilfred.”
Wilfred: “Yes, like an old white man.”
Johan: “And with me 49 percent of the Dutch population. He thinks exactly the same way. And you in front of the stage are going to be hypocritical here.”
Wilfred: “No, I will let the other sound heard, because I think there are enough people who do…”
Johan: “33 percent.”
Wilfred: “Yes, so there are.”
‘You want to be good!’
Johan: “But I still think that in a state like the Netherlands we have to listen very carefully to the majority in matters like this.”
Wilfred: “Not the majority, is it? The majority is about fifty percent.”
Johan: “No, the rest abstained from voting. But I think you have to be good on TV, don’t you?”
Wilfred: “I don’t have to be good at all, Johan, but isn’t there always a different sound than your sound? Your sound isn’t the only sound, is it?”
John: “No.”
Wilfred: “Well then! Then it is wise that we also make the other sound heard for the people who also watch this program?
