By Peter Versteeg – Have you ever wondered why something happened to you? I hope you haven’t because this question often arises when people are faced with something really serious, such as a severe illness or a traumatic event. But what is the nature of this “why” question? Does it seek a philosophical answer or is it an emotional outburst that cannot be answered?
2 CommentsCategory: Diversiteit & etniciteit
By Maaike Matelski – Ten years ago I published an article on my research with civil society actors from Myanmar, in which I described the sudden changes in ideological and physical positioning as the country…
Leave a Commentdoor Eva Koemar – Toen ik de dag na de verkiezingen op de VU kwam, hoorde ik veel bezorgde geluiden over de ‘monsterzege’ van de PVV. De uitslag zou een ramp zijn voor het klimaat,…
Leave a Commentby Tamara Soukotta – “This will be fun.” Perhaps you have heard a similar promise made at the beginning of a course or a workshop. I certainly did hear this often in The Netherlands, both…
Leave a CommentBy Freek Colombijn, Marina de Regt and Marjo de Theije – In the run-up to Keti Koti, the annual commemoration of the formal abolishment of slavery in Suriname and the Dutch Antilles on 1 July…
Leave a CommentBy Peter Versteeg – The opening images of the documentary “White Balls on Walls” show us an ivory tower: a huge building, shining white, almost sterile, a stronghold of modern art. This is an institute,…
Leave a CommentBy Michiel Baas – The University of Amsterdam has appointed a committee to investigate academic freedom within its institution. The reason for this is a complaint from lecturer Laurens Buijs who takes specific aim at…
2 CommentsBy Thijl Sunier – On October 28, 2022, I shall give my valedictory lecture speech as professor of anthropology, chair of Islam in European Societies. The theme of the speech, and of the seminar preceding…
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