Which aspects and perspectives of Dutch colonialism and historical slavery – as well as that of other European countries – are still underexposed? How does that legacy affect the present in the form of (institutional) racism, marginalisation and poverty, for example? What does decolonisation entail and how has it progressed? And how can we understand the calls for dismantling colonial structures and mindsets against this backdrop?
At Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, we wish to contribute to increasing awareness on this topic and connection in society. Various VU academics therefore study colonialism and slavery and its repercussions in the present from different perspectives and research disciplines.