The statue of Peerke Donders must disappear from the Wilheminapark in Tilburg because it is racist, colonial and stereotyping. Kenneth Cuvalay and Petra Ploeg from Tilburg think it would be better if it were placed in a museum somewhere. That is why they stood before the administrative judge in Breda on Wednesday afternoon. They do not agree with the decision of the municipality of Tilburg to leave the statue and only add a sign with an explanation.
The statue has been in Tilburg since 1923. Peerke Donders was a missionary who helped the lepers in Suriname and wanted to convert the population. A number of Tilburgers have problems with the way Peerke is depicted. Among them are many descendants of enslaved people.
Kenneth Cuvalay and Petra Ploeg speak on behalf of the Ubuntu Connected Front, a political party founded in 2017. Cuvulay: “My ancestors are portrayed as helpless and inferior. Peerke Donders looks down at them condescendingly. Reality is distorted and therefore the image is misleading. But it is an image for my children, but also for white children.”
‘The Wrong Story’
The municipality of Tilburg decided in March last year that the statue could remain. There had to be a sign with an explanation. It writes about abuses during the colonial past. Peerke Donders herself is praised.
According to Petra Ploeg, the image tells the wrong story. “These are human rights that were grossly and massively violated. The municipality must protect its citizens, but falls short if it leaves this image.”
‘Not the truth’
Kenneth Cuvalay goes even further and makes the comparison with Nazi Germany with some hesitation in court. “We no longer want to see images from that time. The image of Peerke Donders does not tell the truth about history.”
Cuvalay and Ploa await the judge’s verdict. It is expected within six weeks. If they do not succeed in the administrative court, they can always try the civil court. He can also decide on a conflict between citizens and the municipality. They certainly intend to.
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