Connect-ED

Is it just me or does anyone else have the impression that their education failed them? I’ll come back to elaborate more soon…

How do I turn this story into this not a poor me story but actually give some thought and weight to what my experience was and how it relates the predicament I find myself in now a days.

So about storytelling - I'm based in Belgium and am currently involved in a project called Unravelling Racism, which is the first research project of its kind - surveying the African community in Flanders about their experiences of discrimination. There has been a follow up project called Safe Harbour (pop up meetings for people of African descent to come together to heal, collaborate, celebrate etc.) It's currently only at its inception.

 My feeling and experience so far (my story, thus) is that the majority of the native Belgian public are extremely resistant to decolonising their perspective on the world, especially in terms of Congo.

There is a long bleak history of in-fighting between dutch and french speaking population and unresolved trauma since the wars. Could it be this, that inevitably dissolves any empathy towards the struggles of foreigners?

I suspect, that since converting to the Euro in 1999, most Belgians feel an integral part of a European Super Power and the accidental assignment of Brussels as its HQ, gives a great sense of national pride.

Because of this poverty stricken and hierarchical history the conscientious effort to overcome it, has created an unshakable sense of entitlement for each Belgian to the country's prosperity and world status. So many of my friends cannot seem to grasp the essence of "white" privilege.  Where do I start? 🤔 🤷‍♀️