Reflections on the Keti Koti Dialogue Table at UM

The dialogue table brought people with diverse backgrounds together and in conversation: acquaintances and strangers, people of different generations and cultures from different communities. Black people, white people and People of Colour (with non-white migration background) engaged in conversation and shared their personal experiences, memories and feelings in relation to racism and discrimination. 

Although the history of slavery and its aftermath were its occasion, the aim of the Keti Koti Dialogue Table was explicitly not to have a conversation about historical and political subjects. As such topics often give rise to heated and polarising debates, this structured dialogue facilitated an exchange of different personal experiences and insights. One of the dialogue questions, for example, asked: Share an experience where you managed to speak out when you witnessed discrimination. What emotions did this experience evoke in you?

Through customs from the Afro-Surinames culture, the ancestors lost by and liberated from the Dutch slavery were honoured. The evening included ceremonial traditions and songs sung by the incredible Fri Yeye choir. Over delicious Surinamese meals, participants were invited to reflect on what racism and discrimination means to them personally and listen to the stories of people with different experiences. The conversations were structured according to a specially developed method that alternated rounds of speaking, listening, and reflection. Each story told opened a path to understanding one another, acknowledging the diversity in shared experiences and embracing new perspectives. As one participant shared: "It was a moment of intense communion and bonding across cultures."

The setup created a safe space for participants to share their personal experiences. One person reflected "it was extremely open, thoughtful, insightful and respectful. ... The conversations flowed naturally. I really enjoyed the Keti Koti table setup."

We want to thank Keti Koti Tafel Foundation and OmniUM for their contributions to this inspiring evening. A big thank you also goes to the participants. This Dialogue Table was just the beginning; together we’ve created space for more future conversations to come where we open up, really listen, reflect and learn with and from each others’ diverse voices.