Post by Jo Stanley
Writer, Creative Historian, Diversity Activist, expert on gendered seafaring. Blaydes Maritime Centre, University of Hull. Lloyd's Rewriting Women into Maritime History Initiative. Rainbow Seas in Maritime Museums.
Brown & black voyages, racism and remembering. This Dutch attempt at respect for Moluccans looks so interesting. " The unveiling of the Ulu Kora National Monument and the apologies offered by Prime Minister Jetten yesterday [21 July in Rotterdam] on behalf of the Dutch government once again draw attention to a history that still has meaning for many families. This history can also be found in the collection of the [Rotterdam]Maritime Museum. Among other things, we keep photos of the Kota Inten, one of the ships that was used for the crossing of Moluccan soldiers of the Royal Dutch East Indies Army (KNIL) and their families to the Netherlands. In addition, the collection contains a poster from around 1950-1951 by designer Eppo Doeve depicting the ship and a model of the Kota Inten. By preserving these kinds of objects, important stories from Dutch maritime history remain visible. (Info; Prime Minister Jetten offered his apologies on behalf of the Dutch government at the dedication of the monument. An apology after 75 years for the mistakes made during the departure of the many Moluccan KNIL soldiers and their families, as well as immediately after their arrival in the Netherlands. )
