Peggy Bouva was at home when she got a call. A woman told her that her ancestors had co-owned a plantation where Bouva's ancestors had been enslaved. What led was 2 years of joint research and a podcast confronting the painful legacy of Dutch colonialism.
During a visit to Suriname, Peggy Bouva pours almond syrup from a dried gourd as part of a prayer for Philida, Johanna and Rosalina Bouva, three ancestors enslaved by the Dutch. Bouva spent two years researching her family's history together with Dutch radio producer Maartje Duin, whose ancestor held stock in the plantation where Bouva's relatives where enslaved.
She tells Duin that she doesn't feel welcome in the Netherlands — the country where they were both born and raised — because the color of her skin makes her an outsider."When they hear me talking on the phone, they assume I'm white," she explains to NPR later."But when they see me and realize my parents were not born in the Netherlands, they treat me differently. It feels cold.
Bouva says she and her uncle weren't angry or disappointed that Duin couldn't get the words out. In fact, she says, the moment felt bigger than a verbal apology.Amsterdam city council member Simion Blom says he was stunned when he heard the podcast.He is related to Bouva and his ancestors were also enslaved on the sugar plantation.
Blom says he has seen this link firsthand. He was born in Suriname and moved to the Netherlands with his family in 1993, when he was 5. They settled in southeast Amsterdam, where the Dutch government housed families from former colonies starting in the 1970s.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Venice: ‘Pieces of a Woman’ Creators Talk Putting Its Pieces TogetherHungarian stage and screen director Kornel Mundruczo and partner/screenwriter Kata Weber collaborated closely on “Pieces of a Woman,” in which Vanessa Kirby and Shia LaBeouf play a Bost…
Read more »
11-year-old baker nicknamed 'Bubba Crocker' for delicious cake business'It's kind of hard to believe that very little things that you do can bring a lot of happiness to others.'
Read more »
'Ride Natty Ride' Explores Bob Marley's Influence on Surfing, SkateboardingVideo is the sixth edition to the Legacy doc series honoring the late reggae musician
Read more »
Kevin Frazier to Host Upcoming Chadwick Boseman News SpecialJoin us tomorrow night as we come together with BET to honor the late Chadwick Boseman, hosted by KevinFrazier. 🖤 Here's how you can watch:
Read more »
Meet the Real Charles Manson in New Audible Original‘Meeting Manson’ takes listeners through Rolling Stone reporter Erik Hedegaard’s journey profiling the notorious cult leader
Read more »
Kendall Jenner, Devin Booker, Justin and Hailey Bieber Took a Couples Trip to IdahoKendall Jenner, Devin Booker, and Justin and Hailey Bieber took a vacation together
Read more »