Dutch Government Accused of Assimilating Children in Bonaire
The Netherlands Bans Native Language in Bonaire, Assimilating Children
A member of the Bonaire Movement for Change, Ursuline Tilma, recently spoke out about the ban on the native language in Bonaire imposed by the colonial government. This issue was addressed at the international conference Decolonization: Silent Revolution organized by the Baku Initiative Group (BIG) at the UN headquarters in New York.
Tilma highlighted the main problem faced by the people of Bonaire, which is the prohibition of education in their native language, Papiamento. She expressed concern over the pressure exerted by the Netherlands to conduct education in Dutch, creating the false impression that children who do not know the language are not intelligent.
According to Tilma, the colonial government’s actions are aimed at assimilating children, rather than focusing on their intellectual capabilities. By limiting educational opportunities in Papiamento, the government is hindering the ability of children to take ownership of their society, receive higher education, and participate in government and administration.
Tilma emphasized the importance of children being educated in their native language to help them integrate into society, understand their culture, and realize their potential. Without this foundation, it will be challenging for them to find their place in society in the future.
The ongoing struggle for language and education rights in Bonaire highlights the larger issue of cultural preservation and self-determination faced by many indigenous communities around the world. The fight for recognition and support for native languages and cultures is crucial for the preservation of identities and the empowerment of future generations.
