Dutch | Surinamese
In the Netherlands I am seen as a Black guy. In Suriname I am Dutch, not White, but Dutch. People recognize that you don’t speak Surinamese immediately and they will make you pay more. But those things are not as hurtful. I do, on the other hand, believe that the most difficult thing is that since you are not Black, nor White people feel like you don’t have the right to say things.
My outlook has changed a lot over the years and it still is. When I was young I wasn’t aware of what it meant to be different from other kids. It was probably when I went to high school when you start to have experiences that change the way you think about life itself. I think it can be a huge benefit in a lot of places but I will never really fit in with anyone. I don’t feel that need either. I was never a guy that looked for the racial side of things. I always looked at things for what they were and didn’t take those things personal. When you grow older and get more experienced you see things clearer and for what they are. I hope that my future children can grow up in a world where they don’t have to think about the way they look or where they’re from. I think that my opinion will change in the future the same way the world is changing. If the situation changes I will change with it.
I became part of a gospel choir and got into contact with very beautiful people with very beautiful souls, and I learned a lot from that. That widened my world a lot. I don’t care where someone is from (never did). I care about the match we have and how good of a person you are. Culture doesn’t have anything to do with that. I live a very happy life. I am very grateful for all the beautiful things that I’ve been able to do. I don’t really believe that has anything to do with where I come from. I have a tattoo on my arm with the text, only ‘love can conquer hate.’ To me this means that whatever people throw at me, I will respond from love. I hope more people will listen and respond with respect for each other.
Sign up to Patreon or Subscribe to our website to read more stories