No apologies or recognition for Hoorn’s history of slavery, but city conversations

The city council of Hoorn played a major role in the history of slavery, it turned out the report which was published last summer. At least 17,000 enslaved Africans were trafficked from Hoorn by both the West India Company (WIC) and the United East India Company (VOC).

PvdA and D66 proposed an apology. But that proposal failed last night. Because apologies have been made nationally, other parties see no added value in also doing so locally. VVD, ÉénHoorn and Hoorn Lokaal proposed not to apologize, but to express recognition. That proposal also could not count on a majority.

‘Apologies already offered nationally’

“The king has apologized, as has the prime minister. I don’t see why Hoorn also has to apologize separately. What does it add?”, asked Roger Tonnaer of Fractie Tonnaer.

The proposals led to a long discussion last night in which parties were strongly divided. While one party wants to put an end to the discussion, others see recognition and apology as a starting point for more understanding and attention. The mayor emphasized that the conversation must continue. “You can’t put an end to something so easily.”

“Talk to us, not about us”

The proposal to apologize was previously not received well by the Working Group on the History of Slavery in Hoorn (WSH). Despite the fact that they are working hard to ensure that an apology is made, they did not want this to happen through a ‘political game’. “We do not benefit from a motion that you know in advance will not achieve a majority. You are mowing the grass in front of our feet and it was made without consultation with us, the community. That is of no use to us,” said Marisella de Cuba about it.

She called on the council to commit to a process with the National Coordinator against Discrimination and Racism (NCDR) and the National Institute for the Dutch Slavery History and Legacy (NiNsee) to carefully shape the apology. “Our voices have not been heard for centuries and have been set aside. Apologies for the past are very important for our communities as descendants of enslaved people and stakeholders. But once again we are being talked about, not with us.”

De Cuba’s participation was interrupted by Menno Jas van Hart van Hoorn, who wanted to suspend the meeting. That was probably due to the sharp accusations made by De Cuba. The mayor then intervened and urged De Cuba to ‘watch her words’.

The decision will be made a day later to much anger. “This incident shows how the voices of descendants of enslaved people have been ignored and not taken seriously for centuries.”

City conversations

There will be a sequel to the city ​​conversations, a proposal from the coalition parties. The initiators want to set up a working group that will shape this. During these conversations, themes such as racism and discrimination in society are discussed and also about the statue of JP Coen.

A proposal should be ready this spring on what the city discussions will look like.