Black Man in the Netherlands: An Afro-Antillean Anthropology

Francio Guadeloupe's book, "Black Man in the Netherlands," explores his coming-of-age and adulthood in a Dutch world, making a global contribution to understanding anti-Black racism. He identifies the intersections between urban popular culture, racism, and multiculturalism in youth culture and probes the degrees to which traditional ethnic division collapses before a rising Dutch polyethnicity. Guadeloupe shows that Afro-Antilleans often effectively contest Dutch racism in civic and work life.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 04 January 2022
Publisher: University Press of Mississippi

Francio Guadeloupe, an anthropologist by profession and a keen observer by honed habit, has lived in both the Dutch Antilles and the Netherlands. In his new book, Black Man in the Netherlands, Guadeloupe wields both personal and anthropological observations, simultaneously serving as a memoir and an astute exploration. This remarkable work charts Guadeloupe's coming-of-age and adulthood in a Dutch world, while also making a significant global contribution to our understanding of anti-Black racism.

Guadeloupe delves into the intricate intersections of urban popular culture, racism, and multiculturalism within the youth culture of the Netherlands and the broader Dutch Kingdom. He investigates the extent to which traditional ethnic divisions collapse in the face of a rising Dutch polyethnicity. What emerges from this exploration, given the ethnic multiplicity experienced by Afro-Antilleans, is their extraordinary success in forging an anti-racist Dutch identity through urban popular culture. This alternative way of being Dutch warmly embraces the Black experience as both global and increasingly local Black artists find fame and even idolization.

Black Man in the Netherlands stands as a vibrant extension of renowned critical race studies by esteemed Marxist theorists such as Achille Mbembe, Paul Gilroy, Stuart Hall, and C. L. R. James. It bears a palpable connection to Black Atlantic artists like Peter Tosh, Juan Luis Guerra, and KRS-One. Guadeloupe intricately explores the complexities of Black life in the Netherlands, showcasing that Afro-Antilleans often effectively contest Dutch racism in civic and work life, despite facing various challenges.

Through his profound insights and captivating storytelling, Francio Guadeloupe has contributed significantly to our understanding of race, identity, and the complexities of multiculturalism. Black Man in the Netherlands is a testament to his talent as a writer and anthropologist, offering a valuable perspective on the experiences of Black individuals in a Dutch-speaking world. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the intersection of race, culture, and society, and its impact on individuals and communities.

Weight: 308g
Dimension: 140 x 217 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781496837011