Racial issues, inclusivity, diversity

Assessing the current situation is going to look very different regarding who you are talking to. Inclusivity and diversity are big words that are all positively connotated and thrown around a lot. Thrown around by companies to better their image, governments, and politicians but also by people like you and me. This indicates that these are important values in our society. But how much do we actually prioritize them and why do we not talk about the implications and struggles these values come with?

Let’s start from the beginning. When hearing the terms diversity and inclusion, what do you think about it? Take a moment to think about this, because even though we all use the same terms our experiences and views might change what we think about. Now, it doesn’t matter if your image is a positive or negative one , but while reading this article just keep in mind, people have different views and experiences and we should try to respect that.

With diversity there comes great responsibility. Having a city such as Amsterdam where people from various backgrounds, ethnicities, races, and beliefs live together is a beautiful thing but can obviously also be challenging. To incorporate these different views and make sure the city is a safe and comfortable place for all its inhabitants and not just a small privileged group is crucial. This is why we need to actively put in the effort to achieve inclusivity and equality.

Inclusivity is not just hanging around pride flags and saying black lives matter. Obviously, representation and visibility are key aspects for inclusivity but they are only a small portion of it. Achieving inclusivity is a process that takes time, energy, and effort. Sometimes it can be uncomfortable, especially realizing that one has internalized racist or discrimantory thoughts and is part of the problem. But because it is this uncomfortable, it is crucial and neccesary for this process. This discomfort is the only way to work against the much worse and limiting “discomfort” that a lot of people of color and marginalized groups have experienced and are experiencing on a daily basis. Inclusivity also shouldn’t require full assimilation. To be included one shouldn’t have to change who they are to fit an image. If they have to, how inclusive is the society really or is it at all?

Next to all the things we can do individually, there is a lot we need and can do as a collective. For instance, we need to hold ourselves and each other accountable. There is a need for programs, education, and conversations about racial issues and decolonization because this is the only way we can move forward. There needs to be a higher sensitivity from the government about these topics and marginalized people need to be given a platform to make their voices heard. These aren’t issues were the mostly white and privileged politicians should talk about among themselves to form the decisions but the affected people should be part of this conversation. An example that is very disheartening to me is how the Dutch government deals with Zwarte Piet. While a lot of white people and even Mark Rutte label this as a harmless tradition, they completely ignore and blend out what people of color have to say and look away when the effects of this black-facing “tradition” are being mentioned. After all, if we don’t listen to the people affected, there  cannot be inclusivity but only ignorance and selfishness. There is no such thing as partial inclusivity, where people are included for the benefit of the privileged group.

Ideally, we should embrace the privilege of being able to learn so much from each other and the different viewpoints that can help us improve our society and way of living.  If we want it or not, Amsterdam is a very diverse city and is becoming more diverse with passing time. It is not a debate or question if this is a good thing or not but the debate and question is how we make Amsterdam a good place for everyone, because we are only starting the journey of getting there and there is a lot of work and listening to do.