Posted on 07/02/2023 1:32:22 PM PDT by nickcarraway
The King of the Netherlands used his historic speech on Saturday, July 1 to apologise for the country's role in slavery.
King Willem-Alexander asked for forgiveness on a key anniversary of the abolition of slavery. The event was held to commemorate the anniversary of the abolition of slavery in the Dutch colonies. The speech comes just a few months after Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte issued a similar apology last year.
Get the latest royal news straight to your phone by joining our Whatsapp community!
In his emotional speech, Willem-Alexander said: "Today, I stand before you. Today, as your King and as a member of the Government, I make this apology myself. And I feel the weight of the words in my heart and my soul."
He added: "But today, on this day of remembrance, I ask forgiveness for the clear failure to act in the face of this crime against humanity."
The King, whose voice appeared to break, also said that he has commissioned a study into the exact role of the royal House of Orange-Nassau in slavery in the Netherlands.
As he completed his speech, the King laid a wreath at the country’s national slavery monument in an Amsterdam park.
King Willem-Alexander delivered the emotional speech on July 1 (Image: Getty) Despite former lawmaker John Leerdam telling Dutch broadcaster NOS that this was an "historic moment", many in the Netherlands felt as though the apology is not enough.
Doelja Refos, 28, said that, despite feeling good, they are "looking forward to something more than just apologies".
Black Archives director Mitchell Esajas also said: "An apology should be tied to a form of repair and reparatory justice or reparations."
This comes as two groups - Black Manifesto and The Black Archives - organized a protest march prior to the King's speech, under a banner which read: "No healing without reparations".
When the african tribes go first and offer reparations we can talk.
Forgiveness without a check means nothing, NOTHING!!
I see French-style riots in the Netherlands future.
Even with a check, the check is never big enough
Black Archives director Mitchell Esajas also said: “An apology should be tied to a form of repair and reparatory justice or reparations.”
They don’t want to be free, they want to be masters.
Is every country on earth expected to apologize for for some reprehensible behavior in its past, or is this just contemporary pandering to a particular interest group? Does anyone really care? /rhetorical question
And now he should abdicate and do away with nonsensical monarchy.
Africans were paid very well for their slaves
Is Egypt apologizing? any country in Africa?
How about apologizing to Israel?
Ridiculous pandering that will do nothing but make the black kids angry.
Well, those first generations of slaves suffered huge and terrible indignities and I’m happy it is known, disclosed, and discussed to future generations so it may never happen again.
That isn’t exactly breaking news now is it??
He's a far cry (pun intended) from his brave and bold forebears like Prince William I "The Silent" and William III.
Will he apologize for the Dutch government dispossessing the farmers? What is the difference, praytell.
Maybe he should be apologizing to the farmers his country is obliterating!
NO!, not gonna happen king dude.
Ah, the apology.. That's where the the big mistake is made.. NEVER apologize, they'll just use it against you...
RE: Africans were paid very well for their slaves
Yes and rival, spite filled gangs from various tribes hated each other and caught slaves to sell.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.