Commemoration of the Dutch Indies: how pain grows with more attention

For decades, the Dutch government has presented a one-sided image, says Lise. For example, the commemorations have been organised by former soldiers for a very long time, as indicated in the Noord Hollandsch Dagblad article. This organisation basically expressed that the Dutch acted well in the Dutch East Indies, and as if only their loss should be commemorated. "It was emphasised that there had been a lot of violence against Indo-Europeans and Dutch in 45-46, and that they therefore had the right to restore order," Lise explained. "Without saying that this was a reaction to a system: the Indonesians were done with oppression."

Lise further emphasises how more attention to an event can lead to pain on different sides: "Dutch Indonesians feel that they are not recognised as victims if attention is also paid to the Indonesian victims. They feel they are bombarded as perpetrators." The various researchers cited in the article mainly conclude that to properly commemorate and process painful history, it is precisely important to realise that they can be both victims and perpetrators.

Lise stresses the importance of making the painful history known: "In recent years, a lot more attention has been paid to Indonesia's colonial history, but it mainly remains on an academic level. It would help for the perception if this side of history was given even more attention in pop culture and public debate as well. Everyone knows the stories about World War II, it is taught in schools, and a much more balanced picture has emerged as a result. We also no longer think: all Germans are bad."