Catcalled because of your skin color. Denied a rental home because of your surname. Or insulted because you walk hand in hand with your same-sex partner. These are just a few examples of discrimination that occur daily.
March 21 is the International Day Against Racism and Discrimination. Such a day is still very much needed because more and more people in Rotterdam experience forms of discrimination and racism. This is evident from the increased number of reports received by the anti-discrimination service RADAR and the police. All the more reason to do more against discrimination, according to the Municipality of Rotterdam.
Therefore, there is the action plan ‘Living Together in One City’. One of the actions in this plan is the appointment of a city marine for anti-discrimination and anti-racism. Since May 2023, that has been Ton van der Leck. He talks with organizations and companies where discrimination occurs about what they can do about it. Van der Leck also speaks with residents on this subject, connecting people so they can be helped more quickly to resolve discrimination issues.
Distressing Issues
‘Sometimes people come to the alderman or me with distressing issues,’ says Van der Leck. ‘For example, people who are threatened because they are transgender. Or rejected by an internship company because of their origin. I try to help them as best as I can. I also try to combat discrimination in sports and hospitality. I believe that everywhere in the city, including these places, everyone should be welcome. Period.’
Mystery Visits in Nightlife
Van der Leck is also involved in the Door Policy Panel. The goal of this panel is to make nightlife accessible to everyone. Mystery visits are conducted where couples of different backgrounds, skin colors, and ages try to enter clubs to see if there is any discrimination. ‘I notice that people of color are more often denied than white people. Members of the Panel visit the entrepreneurs where this happens. They provide advice and also offer training to make bouncers and staff aware of what they are doing.’
Misunderstandings Over a Beer
The action plan also states the importance of working in the neighborhoods to counter misunderstandings and discrimination. Therefore, Van der Leck, along with others, has also developed a neighborhood approach: ‘Inclusive and Respectful Coexistence’. Van der Leck: ‘Sometimes misunderstandings arise between residents, or they are afraid of each other, simply because they do not know each other’s background.’
‘In the Carnisse neighborhood, for example, many people of different cultural backgrounds live. Like a group of labor migrants from Eastern Europe. They sometimes have a beer together in the park. Some neighborhood residents find this intimidating and have an opinion about it. The men themselves have a reason for it and say: “We live with eight men in a small apartment; there is no space inside. And in our culture, it is normal to come together outside. By talking to each other, this was resolved.”’
Valuable Insights
‘Misunderstandings can eventually lead to discrimination, which you obviously want to avoid. I and other stakeholders of the neighborhood approach talk to residents. We also ensure that residents talk to each other. Then they hear each other’s experiences and views, and you can prevent this kind of misunderstanding or discrimination faster.’
Over the past year, Van der Leck and his colleagues have gained experience with the neighborhood approach in several neighborhoods. ‘This year, we want to offer our help in all neighborhoods to ensure that Rotterdammers live together even better in a respectful and inclusive manner.’
170 Cultures
Van der Leck concludes: ‘The action plan includes many more things the municipality does against racism and discrimination to ensure, together with others, that everyone feels welcome in Rotterdam. For instance, the municipality makes agreements with landlords and housing corporations to ensure everyone has equal opportunities in the housing market. We also tackle internship discrimination, and in the sports world, the municipality collaborates with Rotterdam Sportsupport to combat discrimination on and around sports fields. We live in a beautiful city with almost 170 cultures. Let’s see that as our strength.’
More Information
Want to know what else the municipality does against discrimination and racism? Check the page Against Racism and Discrimination. You can report discrimination at www.discriminatie.nl.