Update: Amsterdam's City Theater (Stadsschouwburg) and their racist print

Dear folks,
The Anti Discriminationbureau reacted to our complaints (see blog post below) and wrote that they will send the Amsterdam Stadsschouwburg a letter but they won't take action against the cartoonist. We still urge people who haven't done so already to send an e-mail to both the Stadsschouwburg and the Anti Discriminationbureau to let them know what kind of impact this has on the community! Thanks in advance.

E-mails

To: discriminatie@mdra.nl, Melle.Daamen@ssba.nl
CC to: soapbox.amsterdam@gmail.com

Example of a text to send

Dear Sir, Madam,

With this e-mail I, too, would like to file a complaint against the Amsterdam Stadsschouwburg for using a racist print that uses the term “kutneger”. I’ve read the reply your organisation sent to the people who sent their complaint before December 8, 2011 and I’m not sending you this e-mail in the hopes to change your mind about how your organisation deals with this issue. I truly hope that my e-mail adds to your understanding of the impact an illustration (that even the director of the Stadsschouwburg describes as 'disgusting') like this has on the community.

Melle Daamen, the director of the Stadsschouwburg tried to explain the non-racist nature of his theater by mentioning that they 'also' had Spike Lee and Jesse Jackson on their stage. Perhaps your organisation can inform him that racism isn't a matter of quota; even someone whose best friend is Black can still have racist tendencies.

I trust that you register this e-mail as a discrimination complaint on the basis of what you categorize as ‘race/ heritage/ skin colour’.

With kind regards,
(Name and city)

Filing complaint against Amsterdam's City Theater's racist print

Dear folks, 

At the height of Sinterklaas, Holland’s annual celebration of blackface in the Netherlands, the Stadsschouwburg (Amsterdam City Theater) published a cartoon in which Sinterklaas (a version of Santa Claus) tells Zwarte Piet (his blackfaced servant) to “Get lost, fucking Negro”.

This image (see photo) was used for their Sinterklaas party for adults-event. For our non-Dutch readers: the character on the left says: “It’s December 5th again… Time for your annual stroll, Sinterklaas”

We truly hope that you’ll join us in our quest to fight racism in the Netherlands by sending the text below to the Anti Discrimination Bureau and the director of the City Theater. Please add soapbox.amsterdam@gmail.com as a CC. We’re not adding you to our mailinglist and we won’t spam you; we’re just keeping a very close eye on the number of complaints so we have some actual numbers when people are trying to prove "there's no racism in the Netherlands!"
Sending the e-mail
To: discriminatie@mdra.nl, Melle.Daamen@ssba.nl
CC to: soapbox.amsterdam@gmail.com

Example of a text:Dear Sir, Madam,
With this e-mail I’d like to file a complaint with the Anti Discrimination Bureau against the Amsterdam City Theater (de Amsterdamse Stadsschouwburg) for using an illustration in which a Black character is told to, and I translate “Oh, get lost, fucking Negro.”
Such a cartoon is absolutely racist and I urge you to follow the proper procedures and handle this matter the same way you handled the issues with products like face paint with the name Negro black (negerzwart-schmink) and wigs with the name Negro wig (negerpruik). If saying “fucking Jew” is anti-Semitism then surely this should be considered anti-Africanism
Sincerely,
(Name and city)

Soapbox presents the "BLACK EYE movie festival"

Peace dear folks, Sunday December 4th will be the last day of our two day documentary festival. ------- Basic info ------- Date: Sunday December 4 Location: NoLimit (Geldershoofd 80, 1103 BG Amsterdam) Tickets: €3 For reservations: soapbox.amsterdam@gmail.com ------- Program ------- Program 16:30h – Doors open 17:00h - 18:00h Screening: Coconut Revolution 18:00h - 19:00h Screening: Black Panther (1968) 19:00h - 20:00h Screening: A Place of Rage 20.00h – 21:30h Speakers platform / discussing the documentaries ------- Public transportation to NoLimit ------- Metro 53 - Get off at Ganzenhoef. From there it's a 2 minute walk. Bus 45 or 66 - Get off at Geldershoofd. From there it's a 1 minute walk.

Soapbox recommends - Afrikaaps

Few productions play such an important role in understanding the history of language and colonialism. Afrikaaps is a must see!
Tour dates4 oktober: Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam (Rabozaal)
5 oktober: De Gouvernestraat, Rotterdam
6 oktober: Stadsschouwburg Utrecht (kleine zaal)
7 oktober: Toneelschuur, Haarlem
13 oktober: Bijlmerparktheater, Amsterdam
15 oktober: LUX, Nijmegen

For more info check: http://www.theglasshouse.nu/

Afrikaaps - Saturday September 10: Info sharing session with the cast

Afrodam welcomes Afrikaaps!!
The ever so marvelous Afrikaaps-crew arrived on Dutch soil. Join us on Saturday September 10 for this warm, insightful "Welcome to Afrodam!"-info sharing session where poets, writers and/or MC's unite and create.

AFRIKAAPS is a cutting-edge hiphopera about the history of Afrikaans, tracing its origins back to 1600s and its evolution into the 21st century. Featuring an all-star cast including hiphop poet and performer Jitsvinger, jazz piano prodigy Kyle Shepherd, vocalist and poet Blaq Pearl, Hiphop activist and mc Emile Yx Jansen, Rapper and b-boy dancer Bliksemstraal, singer and dancer Moenier Adams, bass...ist and electronic producer Shane Cooper and poet and storyteller Jethro Louw of the Khoi Khonnexion.

The basics
Date: Saturday September 10
Time: From 13.30h until 17.00h
Location: Kauwgomballenfabriek (the corner of daniel goedkoopstraat and paul van vlissingenstraat)
Entrance: Free but you're more than welcome to donate a poem.

To sign up please send an e-mail with your full name and telephone number to: soapbox.amsterdam@gmail.com

Workshop infoEmphasis in the workshop will also be placed on the the Dutch / South African historical connection, language, colonialism and slavery. The results of this meeting and reflection will inspire and also inform Afrikaaps upcoming show in NL.

We'll be starting things off with a fascinating documentary about the process, the project and the cast!

For more info about Afrikaaps please click here.

This gathering is a co-production of The Glasshouse, Soapbox and RE:Definition.

Upcoming edition: Sunday September 4

Peace folks,
September 4 was supposed to be the day of our first speaker contest but since we didn’t get the minimum number of 5 people to sign up, we decided to flip the script. We invited Zawdie Sandvliet and Joao Richmond to present the two statements they each sent us (as part of the contest’s selection procedure) and engage in a building session about the following four topics:

1. Black Unity - The social, cultural, economic ...and political need for the Afrodiasporic and African communities in the Netherlands to unite.
Presented by: Joao Richmond

2. Blaxplanation - Explaining Black identity in a white society
Presented by: Zawdie Sandvliet


3. Black Beauty – How the Eurocentric beauty standards affect us
Presented by: Joao Richmond

4. What must we learn from Frantz Fanon’s ‘Black skin, white mask’Presented by: Zawdie Sandvliet

Doors open: 14.30h
The first speaker hits the mic at: 15.00h
Entrance: € 3
Location: To be announced a.s.a.p. but it will be in our beloved Amsterdam Zuidoost.

And no, we have NOT given up on the idea of a speaker contest so please stay tuned for more info.

Peace,
Soapbox

Sunday August 7 - The state of independence

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Peace family, This edition we'll focus on our community’s togetherness and independence with regards to Black events and/or organisations. We've invited four guest speakers to help us find and/or provide answers to the following questions: - How can the Black community support events that contribute to our collective consciousness, triumphs and struggles? -  How we can all contribute to getting Keti Koti the national recognition both the festival and our people deserve? - How will the recent budget cuts by the government affect the Black community with regards to art and culture? - How to deal with prolific Black people (artists, hosts, politicians, etc.) who chose not to publicly support the cause but are the first to profit from it through paid appearances at the festivities and/or media outlets? - What part can and/or does social media play in all this? Event information Location: No Limit (Geldershoofd 80, Amsterdam Zuidoost) Moderators: Bamba Nazar and Simone Zeefuik Doors open: 13.30h We start at: 14:00h and yes, we promote punctuality. Salutes to: Angelo Bromet for hooking us up!! Focus Please keep in mind that this edition will focus on the questions as stated above. We are absolutely not interested in constantly narrowing things down to truisms. Yes, we are all human and sure, love is all we need… but please understand that our community needs to do more than just have these lines on repeat. Because even though we might be “in it together” we truly hope you have some ideas of why some are more “in it” than others. Thank you. Truly yours, Simone Zeefuik and Bamba Nazar / Soapbox Public transportation to No LimitIf you take metro 53 to Ganzenhoef you’re 2 minutes away from the venue. You can also take bus 45 and/or 66 to Geldershoofd; from the bus stop it’s a 3 minute walk.

Running away - Zulile Blinker

We salute Zulile Blinker for being one of the most creative and inspirational poets to honor our Afro-Caribbean heritage and legacy. Check out her new track Running Away. She performed this piece in our Keti Koti-tent yesterday and she blew everybody away. This Sister's words are like a firebombs and she isn't shy to light up the room one syllable at a time.

Please treat yourself to her magic and recognize a true People's Poet when you hear one. Light & blessings to this amazingly talented Lioness whose fire is a verb!!

Friday July 1 - Soapbox as part of the Keti Koti festival

On July 1 1863 the Dutch government made their first attempt to stop their horrific tendencies of economically justified inhumanities. The people of Suriname labelled this day Keti Koti –which literally means ‘cut chain’- and it marks the abolishment of slavery in Suriname and the ‘Dutch’ Antilles.

On July 1 2011, 149 years after the Netherlands ‘officially’ stopped funding their Golden Age with Black Gold (and other synonyms fo...r slavery), Soapbox will be part of the Keti Koti festival in Amsterdam’s Oosterpark. Meet us in the Soapbox tent for the following:

Program
14:30 h – DJ Game Ova
15:15 h – Soapbox speakers' platform*
15:45 h – DJ Game Ova
16:15 h – Performances: Merage, Kitchell Samuel, Zulile, Brian Kemble and Jimmy Rage
16:45 h – DJ Threesixty
17:15 h – Speech and performances: Sharrif Simmons, Esperanza and Valery
17:45 h – DJ Threesixty
18:30 h – Performances: Thorough Borough Symphony, Pan Afrikanz and Sharrif Simmons
19:15 h – DJ Threesixty

Entrance: FREE!!!

2 basics:
No pets (picolets are the only exception!). No smoking.

Public transportation to the Oosterpark
- From Amsterdam Central Station: tram 9 or bus 22 to Eerste van Swindenstraat
- From Amsterdam Amstel: bus 37 to Linnaeusstraat/ Wijttenbachstraat
- From Duivendrecht: bus 41 to Linnaeusstraat/ Wijttenbachstraat
- From Amsterdam Muiderpoort it’s a 10 minute walk to the park.

* Soapbox speaker contest
Real people deserve real talk so on Sunday September 4 we present our first speaker contest. During this event various speakers will share their ideas about different topics concerning the Black community in the Netherlands and trust us when we say that we do not, not even for a second, fear verbal fire!

To already get you in the mood for a good debate we invited 4 speakers who will give you a summarized presentation of their ideas about the following:
- Blaxplanation (Explaining Black identity in a white society.)
- Keti Koti (And why it needs to be acknowledged as a national holiday)
You know... to give you a taste of what you can expect.
Please note that the speakers we invited to our Keti Koti-program aren't automatically part of the September contest; check our Facebook page and/or blog for more info.


The festival consists of 4 tents; for the complete Keti Koti program please check: http://www.ketikotiamsterdam.nl/

Sunday May 1 - Reserve the right to revolt

Sunday May 1st - More info tba but block the date

Peace family,
On Sunday May 1st we'll be discussing the latest revolutions in Africa, how the media decides which countries make the news and how this can be translated to our daily existence. Stay tuned for more info!

Location: Ninsee (Linnaeusstraat 35-F, 1093 EE Amsterdam)

Doors open: 13.30u
The debate starts at: 14.00u
Entrance: €3

Free Zwarte Piet #6 - preface to our next move

Free Zwarte Piet is the grassroots movement that takes a stance against Holland’s annual celebration of blackface, colonialism and racism. With the Dutch chapter of this movement Soapbox forms a fist against white supremacy, the stereotypical portrayal of Black people, racist traditions and historical hypocrisy. Our main focus is the education and emancipation of Black people so that our community can emotionally and intellectually free its mind of the idea that Zwarte Piet is anything less than horrific.

Before anything else we need Black people to understand the Dutch history of colonial crimes and slavery because no-one who is fully aware of how Holland is built and how it still functions can stand behind this image. Nobody who fully embraces their Blackness will find comfort in the ridiculing, humiliating and mocking of themselves and others.
We do not accept the tradition-argument and we sincerely hope that anybody who tries to bring up The Chimney gets stuck in their own fireplace.

Let's make it plain:
* Zwarte Piet = blackface = racism.
* A white man who stuffs his boat with tons of black people who are all his ‘servants’ = a slavemaster.
With this in mind we reject all images, expressions and activities that are originated in the minds of those who think that there’s a time, a justification, a place or even an appropriate context for racism.

Our motto is: Communities before companies. Free Zwarte Piet is a people’s movement that focuses on parents, children, educators and artistic activists. Our collective includes people who embrace their activism on a daily basis and not just when it’s time to file for subsidies, gain political momentum and/or travel to an African country to represent activism in Holland.

We need the coonery to be shut down because the people oppose and not because some commercial-minded art director mistakes movement for marketing. We need our kids to be armed with books and wit so their teachers won’t give them a 6 for a 9. We, the people, need to own our struggle and Soapbox will make sure that this issue will be addressed and dealt with in its full ugliness.

The revolution will not be televised and we won’t let anyone get away with trying to sell us a bootleg DVD.
Free Zwarte Piet!

Peace,
Soapbox

Sunday April 3rd: The Black family edition - Home is where the heroes are

This edition we'll explore how Black families and various types of Black communities influence our idea of being a stronger collective.

Guest speakers: Benji Magreth, Hamza Ibrahim and Brian Kemble
Host: Yinka Adesina
Location: Ninsee (Linnaeusstraat 35-F, 1093 EE A'dam)

Doors open: 13.30h/ We start at: 14.00h
Contribution: € 3

We hope you'll join the discussion about Black families and share your take on the following questions:
* What role do they play when it comes to developing, stimulating and celebrating the identity of Afrodiasporic and African people in the Netherlands?
* What are some of the things your parents taught you in regards to who you are as a Black person and what to expect from living in this Eurocentric society?
* What do you aim to instill in your kids in regards to identity and pride?
* Has the Black family been divided and conquered?

Feb 20 - Soapbox commemorates El Hajj Malik el Shabazz

Sunday February 20 - Soapbox commemorates El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz

On Sunday February 20 we commemorate El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, one of our dearest revolutionary Brothers who is best known as Malcolm X.

With this Junior Edition we focus primarily on our youngsters. We want to introduce them to one of our dearest heroes and offer them a space to exchange thoughts and visions about Spike Lee’s film Malcolm X.

Basic info
- Doors open: 12.30h
- The movie starts at: 13.00h
- Running time of the movie: 202 minutes

- Location: Ninsee
- Linnaeusstraat 35-F, 1093 EE Amsterdam
- Entrance: free
- Reservations via*: soapbox.amsterdam@gmail.com

The Book
Spike Lee's film is based on The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told to Alex Haley. Indigo Davis donated 3 copies of the book to give away to Sunday's visitors who are 21 or younger. A lottery? A lottery.
And yes, we will make an exception if February 20 happens to be your 22nd birthday.

Directions to Ninsee
- Public transportation: Bus 22 and tram 9 stop right in front of the main entrance. The name of the stop is 'Eerste van Swindenstraat'.
- Parking costs in the Ninsee area: Free parking on Sunday! Ninsee is across from Amsterdam's Oosterpark and right near the Dappermarkt.

* Reservations
Due to limited seating your reservation will be very much appreciated. Please let us know for how many people you want to reserve a seat and if you and/or your guests are 21 or younger. Thanks in advance!! You will receive a confirmation e-mail within 2 work days.

Sunday February 6 - Blaxplanation: Black identity in white society

Please note: This is edition is not about the movie genre Blaxploitation. The dresscode won’t be “Coffy or Shaft” and we won’t review the cultural significance of movies like Three The Hard Way. But yes, as always we offer THE space to pick your afro and put some soul in your speech.


Blaxplanation – Black identity in white society

...Hosted by: Yinka Adesina
Guest speakers: Shahida Albitrouw, Jimmy Rage and Iyahmin
Location: Ninsee
Doors open: 13.30h
Debate starts at: 14.00h (sharp!)
Contribution at the door: € 3

What do you consider Blackness? Wikipedia (which we are sure is Latin for ‘the witchcraft of inconsistency’) describes it as “an African-American subculture” but on February 6th we will keep it a little closer to home and talk about the thriumps and trials of Blackness in the Netherlands. Do you chose to identify as Black and, if so, how do you deal with the social resistance that ‘the term’ sometimes triggers? If you chose not to identify as such... is not being comfortable and/or ready to call yourself or your work/art/politics/organisation/etc. Black a decision made for you or by you?

How do we explain our culture and/or collective Black consciousness in a country that never really had its nose rubbed in Blackness? What to do in a land that doesn’t really want to invest in Black awareness but also can’t stand to be ‘left out’ at events that focus on the history, present or future of its Afrodiasporic citizens? For example: at last year’s Keti Koti festival we got the Dutch band De Dijk shoved down our throats because “the abolishion of Dutch slavery in Suriname is a celebration for everyone and we should all come together” but when it comes to educating that same “everyone” about the history of slavery... folks are a little less pressed about being inclusive. Or: It is ‘okay’ to label a school as ‘Black’ when you’re talking about ‘an educational institute that have too many non-white kids to secure the linguistic intellect of the school yard conversations’ but what would happen when you would like to start a highschool that teaches world history, geography and (social) science from a more Afrocentric point of view? Could that school still be called a Black school or would that be a problem because ‘the term’ Black isn’t conditioned to equal or even give the idea of excellence?

So... what are your thoughts on these and other matters conserning your personal and our collective Blackness? Yes, you can express them on this page but we’d really love for you to join us at Ninsee on Sunday February 6th for a fruitful exchange of views, opinions, truths and facts.

Also note: We are as democratic and patient as the next (wo)man but this will not be an event that will magically turn into a conversation about how “race doesn’t matter anymore” and/or how “we are basically are all the same so we should really focus more on becoming one!”. Yes, what is qualified as race still matters. No, we are not all the same but luckily our differences are as beautiful as everything we do have in common. Plus, if while trying to become one the thought of you becoming more Sudanese or Haitian has never crossed your mind then you have just proven why this edition is needed.

Peace,
SOAPbox