Page 32 - bon-dia-aruba-20200730

a32 local
Thursday 30 July 2020
‘Sometimes I don’t feel like an Aruban because of my skin color’

Back to Rembrandt’s art.
“A painting of a pride filled
black woman moves me,
because I become more
conscious of how I behave.
I don’t exactly know why,
but there’s something that
makes us Arubans think
that the Dutch know bet-
ter. They’re always the ones
who talk in a group and I
can’t properly express my-
self in such cases. I choose
to keep my mouth shut.”
AMSTERDAM, THE NETHER- manner. Black people? Emerencia: “After the tour,
LANDS – How is it possible They were relegated to the some of the girls said: on
that a painting by Rem- corners or were portrayed Curacao, we often go on
brandt can make such an as being subservient.” excursions to museums with
impression on your own life Through WeConnect, an schools or when it’s the
and identity? It’s a question institution which stands up week of culture. I thought
which Layzmina Emeren- for Caribbean students, she to myself, on Aruba we
cia (26) from Aruba asks got a tour of the exhibition. treat culture differently.
herself constantly. “The Af- “Something happened to They’re way further than
ro-Caribbean culture isn’t me when I was all alone we are. I want our kids to
present on Aruba.” in the room. Wherever I learn more about our his-
turned, I saw black people tory and culture at school,
Emerencia would walk past portrayed, filled with pride that black people also play
the Rembrandthuis in Am- and in extremely beautiful a role in that.” She would
sterdam on a daily basis to clothing. Being portrayed not the case for all of us. “And there’s another stig- like to talk to the minister on
go to her university of ap- as equally important as Our slavery past is ignored. ma that black people on Aruba.
plied sciences classes to rich white people. What re- Sometimes I don’t feel like Aruba come from different “You become more confi-
become a Dance teacher. ally moved me were some I’m Aruban because of the islands, like Sint Maarten. So dent if you know who you
“For six years, it didn’t ap- of the expressions and color of my skin”, says Eme- where do you belong? are and if you feel that
peal to me, while tour- the pride with which they rencia. “I’m from San Nico- Almost all of the people in you matter. If we develop
ists would come from far looked at me. It was like las. It’s a neighborhood rich power on Aruba are light our art and culture further
away to see the paintings. looking into a mirror, be- in culture and where a lot skinned, like folk hero Beti- on Aruba, we’ll achieve
But suddenly I saw a black cause I saw a bit of myself. I of black people live. The co Croes. We learn about greater things. I’m willing
man on a huge banner out- also have dark skin.” neighborhood is seen as Tula and slavery on Cura- and able to contribute to
side the museum.” What’s Compared to Curaçao, backwards. çao, but not about what Aruba.
so ‘special’ about that? Aruba is mostly comprised And that has everything happened on Aruba. That’s why I’m asking the
“When you think about of light skinned individuals. to do with it.” The entirety It’s not odd in that case question: why is the Afro-
paintings in the Golden “There’s this view and pride of San Nicolas is seen as a that my father only recent- Caribbean culture so ab-
Age, you picture white that exists that we are all sort of ghetto, the choco- ly discovered that he is de- sent on Aruba? What does
people, who are depicted descendants of the original late city, where you only scendant from enslaved that say about Aruba?” q
in a proud and beautiful native inhabitants. That’s have minorities, she says. individuals.” Source: Caribisch Netwerk.

Do you want the newspaper?

ORANJESTAD — Aruba Today newspaper
would like your support by participat-
ing in our very short survey. Please let us
know your opinion by scanning the QR
code with your camera function of your
phone (no need to take a picture, just
open camera and scan) or find the sur-
vey button on our website. We would like
to know how you feel about us and pres-
ent the best version of us with you back
in town.

– Do you like us? Now we were and are facing some chal-
lenges due to COVID-19 and we could
– Do you want to see more of us in the use your help to make sure we are still
future? there for you when you are at your home
away from home, your One Happy Island.
– Do you want the best version of us? Are you part of our team? If so, PLEASE
participate in this 1-minute survey.
We are a FREE newspaper and our prints Big thank you!
go like hot cakes. Early mornings at 7 or 8
am hotels would call us for more copies. The Aruba Today team q