Diversity Discussion: Race & Elections

Next Diversity Discussion: December 2020

Webster Leiden is hosting a series of Diversity Discussions as a follow up of the Open Discussion about the Blacks Lives Matter movement. The latest event covered topics of race and elections. With the Presidential election less than a month away, political tension in the United States is high. The discussion provided valuable insight into the US Presidential candidates and how changing demographics affect voter patterns. Faculty also shared their perspectives on racism and elections in the U.S. and in the Netherlands.

To begin, event moderator Naya Pessoa gave an overview on the U.S. Presidential candidates Joe Biden and President Donald Trump. The countdown continues for November 3rd, the day of the 59th election. The winner will take office in January of 2021. Naya updated participants on the investigation and case of Breonna Taylor who was fatally shot by police officers in March. She explained how Biden and Trump have reacted to Breonna Taylor’s death, which has sparked protests against police brutality and racism. Staff member Amanda Mauro jumped in to share her thoughts on how Trump uses specific language to create fear, and how this resembles former President Ronald Raegan. She said, “What sticks out to my mind when you hear and read what Trump is saying, and his approach to this, is that it's very reminiscent of Raegan and the war on drugs that he tried to implement. How that further stigmatized and divided the country.” 

While on the topic of voting, Naya shifted the conversation to the change in demographics. Moreover, how this change can affect people’s voting choices. By 2045 in the U.S., new census projections predict the white race will become a minority (Frey, 2014). For some, the fact of the matter scares them, and this leads them to vote for candidates with similar beliefs, like Trump. As the discussion continued, Sheetal Shah, head of the Psychology Department, reflected on the latest elections in her home country, India. She mentioned that the media narrative can be used to polarize people’s votes. This is an interesting insight into the topic of race and future elections in the Netherlands.

Change in Demographics.jpeg

Although in the eyes of the world it seems that the Netherlands is liberal, “the reality is different” says Jean-Paul, the director of Webster Leiden. A clear example: Zwarte Piet. A character from folklore that is depicted as black and evil which continues to make an appearance around Christmas time. For years, this character was made to scare children into being ‘good’. Ellen Bout spoke from personal experience, “The people in the Netherlands should be educated on the Dutch’s role in slavery”, in hopes that the awareness can further push the erasure of Zwarte Piet

Interestingly, the BLM movement in the U.S. helped start the conversation about Zwarte Piet in the Netherlands, especially regarding the abolishment of this character. Although the black community in The Netherlands demands and has been waiting for this, right-wing politicians like Mark Rutte, Geert Wilders, and Thierry Baudet aren’t for this change just yet. “Geert’s influence is bigger than past right-wing leaders”, said Jean-Paul. The question of, “Why would people vote for this?” still remains. Why do people vote for leaders that do not believe there is unity in diversity?. Sheetal gave the group an answer to the question: because people make strange decisions when they are in fear. 

The next diversity discussion series will be held in December.  

Below is a list of resources and further educational material shared by participants in the discussion:

  • Documentary : 13th directed by Ava DuVernay (Ellen)

  • Book: How to be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X-Kendi (Amanda)

  • Book: The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness is a book by Michelle Alexander (Amanda)

  • Book: People Like Us by Joris Luyendijk (Noemi)

  • Book: White Innocence by Gloria Wekker (Nomei)

References: Frey, W. H. (2014). Diversity explosion: How new racial demographics are remaking America. Washington, D.C.: Brookings Institution Press.

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