COLUMN NOTHING IS INEVITABLE UNTIL IT HAPPENS.

A.J.P. Taylor

Dear readers,

Over the past year I have taken you along into my world, to experience Amsterdam, the Netherlands and our Kingdom through a culturally diverse lens. I believe the issues I have raised are also relevant in Zuidas and more broadly.

As one of the three people laying the groundwork for the National Museum of Slavery, I can state that there is still much to be discussed. The museum is slated to open its doors in 2028. Until then, we will keep talking with people throughout the Kingdom. The consultations we are holding in some twenty cities around the country are meant to build support, inform and mobilize people and stimulate them to take initiatives of their own. The approach Peggy Brandon, David Brandwagt and I are taking to this project has been indescribably emotional and raw in its intensity. An approach never before taken to the creation of a museum. The post-Black Lives Matter era has given a whole different impetus to diversity and inclusion. And in the process has shown us why it is imperative to always keep an open mind to new angles. Diversity and inclusion is not just an interesting concept or experiment, it also has tangible, immediate results.

Lonnie Bunch, founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, said: “What does it take to do the impossible?” This museum in Washington D.C. wound up costing 540 million dollars. Now it welcomes 3.4 million visitors a year. The museum is a stunning and awesome achievement. Educational, unvarnished, healing and challenging. “A must-see for everyone!” I hope that we as a team will also be able to build something extraordinary and to turn talk about diversity and inclusion into reality. We do care and we will always care.

I hope you have enjoyed my musings and contributions. It is up to all of us to keep forging ahead. Diversity is here to stay! So, let’s dare to be different, let’s dare to reshape the city of Amsterdam, the Netherlands and the entire Kingdom.

Thank you for all of your messages.

Thank you for your hard work.

Thank you for your humour.

Thank you for all of your suggestions.

See you soon,

John Leerdam

John Leerdam is a Dutch film and theater director and former politician. He was a member of the parlement for the Partij van de Arbeid (PvdA) from 2003 to 2012.