In this interview with Chris de Ploeg we look at the coloniality and politics of the second world war commemoration in the Netherlands. We look at the question of who is being remembered, the eurocentricity of dutch history surrounding the second world war and the nationalism behind the dutch commemoration.

Bio Chris Kaspar de Ploeg (1994) is an investigative journalist, grassroots organizer, speaker, moderator and author of Ukraine in the Crossfire. He has worked with Platform Authentieke Journalistiek and De Groene Amsterdammer and his work has been published in various other media. Chris was a lead organizer in the historic student movement of 2015 that occupied the humanities faculty and the managerial headquarters of the University of Amsterdam for nearly two months, under the banners of De Nieuwe Universiteit and the University of Colour.

Extra Reading and watching tips by Chris Kaspar de Ploeg

English
– Article; Dutch Memorial Day: Erasing people after death, by Annemarie Toebosch, the conversation, link
– Book: A people’s History of the Second world war,
by Donny gluckstein, link
– Article; Unmasking the Politics of Commemoration Reclaiming WW2, by Chris de Ploeg, Dissident Voice link

Dutch
– Article; waarom ik niet achter deze dodenherdenking sta, door Chris de Ploeg, Onworld link
– Article: Duizenden zwarte soldaten hebben Europa bevrijd, maar hun gezichten zien we amper als we de oorlog herdenken, door Karin Amatmoekrim, de Correspondent link
– Interview/Podcat: Wat er mis is met Dodenherdenking met Chris de Ploeg , Radio Kookpunt link