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All of my columns are written independently and represent my personal views. I primarily write my columns in Dutch, and then translate them into English. Translations are linked when available.
The 2024 UN climate summit is being hosted in Azerbaijan, but the Azerbaijani government has been guilty of horrific deeds for years, including ethnic cleansing towards ethnic Armenians. The government needs to be held responsible for this.
Published in Dutch on Joop.
Image: Wikimedia Commons. Used under a CC-BY 4.0 license.
In a new documentary by public broadcaster PowNed, people who regret their transition tell their story. However, the documentary lacks a lot of context, which could leave viewers with wrong impressions. That's why I'm adding this context myself.
Published on Joop.
Image: screenshot PowNed of View: Transitiespijt.
I'm seriously worried about the current far right Dutch government, and I know other people must feel the same. Despite that, I barely see anyone really speaking up about this, even though that's essential in order to do something about it. That's why I call on everyone: stand up and say something!
Published on Joop.
Image: Rijksoverheid/Valerie Kuypers.
A fire destroyed an apartment in Breda after someone set fire to the pride flag on the balcony. This hate-driven attack could've cost lives. And yet, almost no one in the Netherlands is talking about this.
Published in Dutch on Joop.
Image: Donald Trung Quoc Don (Chữ Hán: 徵國單) via Wikimedia Commons. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
A personal reflection on my experiences at climate protests. These protests are important and I want to participate. But this can take a lot out of me sometimes, in part due to my mental health. Sometimes it seems like my brain is never content.
Guest column for Down To Earth Magazine issue 83.
Photo: Me, overstimulated, at a climate protest by Extinction Rebellion on the A12 highway. Source: Instagram @extinctionrebellionnl.
Activists of climate action group Letzte Generation were arrested in Germany, after they were charged with founding a criminal organisation. This fits in a trend of increasing criminalisation of peaceful (climate) protests all across west Europe.
Published in Dutch on Joop.
Image: Constantin Jäge via Flickr. Used under a CC BY-SA 2.0 license.
A group of political parties is once again sailing a shared boat in the Pride Utrecht canal parade. One of those parties is the VVD. A party that tolerates anti-lgbtqia+ hatred, doesn't do anything in terms of lgbtqia+ policies, and frequently actively pushes back on lgbtqia+ rights. A party like that has no place at Pride.
Published on Joop.
Image: provincieutrecht.vvd.nl.
Wilders had to defend his cabinet's coalition agreement in parliament. But when he was asked about how these plans will be given shape, he repeatedly refused to answer. Not only does he not have the answers: he doesn't want to work on finding them either.
Published on Joop.
Image: debatdirect.tweedekamer.nl.
After the elections, where the far-right PVV became the biggest party by far, a lot of people called for 'reconciliation' with PVV-voters. I find that difficult, because these people knowingly voted for someone that wants to take away basic rights from people like me.
Published in Dutch on Joop.
Image: Sebastiaan ter Burg via Flickr. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.
Pieter Omtzigt has questionable and harmful ideas about trans people and transgender-related topics. That is reason to worry, because he and his party could become extremely influential.
Published in Dutch on Joop.
Image: debatgemist.tweedekamer.nl
The political party Farmer-Citizen Movement (BBB) voted in favour of banning puberty blockers for transgender young people. This fits in a pattern: in their speeches and inquiries, BBB MPs structurally attack transgender young people.
Published in Dutch on Joop.
Images: debatgemist.tweedekamer.nl
When people want to express support to LGBTQIA+ people, one phrase seems to be particularly popular: "Just be yourself". But honestly? I am SO sick of hearing that. Because with that phrase, you're missing the whole problem.
Published in Dutch on Winq Magazine. Independently published in English on Medium.
The Dutch government has plans to shut down the naional alarm siren, or "luchtalarm", which is sounded when there's immediate great danger. The only alert method left would be the NL-Alert warning messages on your phone. That's a dangerous idea. We need to keep the alarm sirens!
Published in Dutch on Joop.
Image: Hay Kranen via Wikimedia Commons. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.
The climate crisis can seem like a hopeless situation sometimes. Still we must always remain hopeful for a better future. But what do I draw that hope from?
Published in Dutch on Joop. Independently published in English on Medium.
Image: Hay Kranen via Wikimedia Commons. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.
There's a lot of public outcry over the increase in theft from supermarkets. I wonder though: is that the biggest injustice that we should be focussing on? Are the actions of supermarkets even fair?
Published in Dutch on Joop. Independently published in English on Medium.
Image: Hay Kranen via Wikimedia Commons. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.
For years now, the police has partaken in intrusive spying and labeled citizens as terrorists, even when they've never done anything wrong. This intense distrust towards citizens destroys lives, and generates mutual distrust.
Published in Dutch on Joop. Independently published in English on Medium.
Image: Antoon Kuper via Flickr. Used under a CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 license.
People in the Netherlands expressed their shock about two anti-LGBT+ attacks. But that violence stems from wider intolerance towards LGBT+ people which is widely present all throughout society.
Published in Dutch on Joop. Independently published in English on Medium.
Worldwide the rights of trans people are being erased at a rapid pace, and violence against trans people is increasing.
Published in Dutch on Joop. Independently published in English on Medium.
Image: Oriel Frankie Ashcroft.
The Dutch government is working on a new law: the Law Regulation Sex Work (WRS). But this law will only make sex work more unsafe and more unsure. An overview of the impact this law will have.
Published in Dutch on Joop. Independently published in English on Medium.
Image: bccla.org. Used under a CC BY-NC-SA 2.5 CA license.
In January 2023, Extinction Rebellion blocked the A12 highway. The police arrested over 750 activists. However, many people outside of the blockade were arrested or threatened with arrests too. An overview of everyone else the police wanted to arrest.
Published in Dutch on Joop. Independently published in English on Medium.
In the Netherlands, 2023 was kicked off with right extremist, racist text being projected on the Erasmusbrug. When we look at the previous year, that perfectly fits the trend. This year, we really need to draw the line we should've drawn a long time ago.
Published in Dutch on Joop. Independently published in English on Medium.
2022 was a busy year for the climate. Major disasters made it clear that we're in the middle of the crisis, and government policies once again lagged behind. But there was also a new generation of climate activists that stood up. With success.
Published in Dutch on Joop. Independently published in English on Medium.
Protesters from KOZP became the victims of extreme violence from a mob of rioters. But if you read the news headlines, you'd get a very different idea. Dutch news outlets seriously need to reflect on how they report on cases like this.
Published in Dutch on Joop. Independently published in English on Medium.
Violent rioters attacked protesters from KOZP, and because of that they got what they wanted. An example in a growing trend: want to get your way in the Netherlands? Use violence!
Published in Dutch on Joop. Independently published in English on Medium.
Image: runran via Flickr. Used under a CC BY-SA 2.0 license.
Many people are angry about the new wave of climate protests, but all possible ways to protest for serious climate policies within “the norm” have been tried. There are no options left but to become disruptive.
Published in Dutch on Joop. Independently published in English on Medium.
Major controversy after FVD intimidated a journalist. But they're far from the only party that creates distrust towards journalists: all far right parties do it.
Published in Dutch on Joop. Independently published in English on Medium.
Image: screenshots debatgemist.tweedekamer.nl.
The Dutch government had multiple boats in the Amsterdam Pride Canal Parade, while a lot of the problems that LGBT+ people face are the direct result of government policy or lack thereof. I think that's strange.
Published in Dutch on Joop. Independently published in English on Medium.
Image: rijksoverheid.nl.
Radicalised farmers keep doing threatening and dangerous things, yet time and time again they're given free reign to do so, seemingly solely because they're on a tractor. We seriously have to start doing something about that.
Published in Dutch on Joop. Independently published in English on Medium.
Image: Steven Lek via Wikimedia Commons. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
Many young people are worried about the climate crisis. Are you surprised with the future that's awaiting us? If you truly want to help young people who are worried about this, then show that you care too.
Published in Dutch on Joop, and in English on Age of Awareness.
People staying at the asylum center in Ter Apel have been suffering through inhumane living conditions for months. Why aren't we helping these people? I can only find one real explanation: brutally harsh discrimination.
Published in Dutch on Joop. Independently published in English on Medium.
Image: Directie Voorlichting via Flickr. Used under a CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 license.
After the controversy surrounding the tv show Vandaag Inside, many were screaming loudly about 'cancel culture'. How much clearer can the lunacy of these claims become?
Published in Dutch on Joop. Independently published in English on Medium.
Image: Timo Tijhof via Wikimedia Commons. Used under a CC BY 4.0 license.
With conscription, the Dutch government is asking something very serious from the people. However, they don’t explain what this entails anywhere.
Published in Dutch on Joop. Independently published in English on Medium.
Image: bertknot via Flickr. Used under a CC BY-SA 2.0 license.
The Netherlands still have forced military duty, a.k.a. conscription or, in Dutch, militaire dienstplicht. If the government wants to, they can force you to risk your life in the army. It's high time we have a serious discussion about this.
Published in Dutch on Joop. Independently published in English on Medium.
Image: bertknot via Flickr. Used under a CC BY-SA 2.0 license.
The conversation about the behaviour of politicians finally seems to seriously be starting. However, I feel like that conversation is still limited mostly to the party FVD. Other right extremist parties, especially the PVV, are barely brought up. That poses a risk.
Published in Dutch on Joop. Independently published in English on Medium.
Image: David Sedlecký via Wikimedia Commons. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
Governments love to talk about how seriously they take the climate crisis, but meanwhile they aren't doing nearly enough to actually face that crisis. These kinds of lies and lacking policies have become so normalised we barely react to it anymore, even though we really should.
Published in Dutch on Joop. Independently published in English on Medium.
Image: CODE ROOD via Flickr. Used under a CC BY-SA 2.0 license.
The wolf is officially back in the Netherlands. Many people are not happy about that. There apparently isn't a lot of "public support". I wonder, why not? And are the worries people have about the wolf justified? Those are the questions I looked for an answer to.
Published in Dutch on Joop. Independently published in English on Medium.
Image: Pixabay
A recent episode of the toddler's tv show 'Muppet Babies' made me unexpectedly emotional. It's an example of how children's programs are more and more telling these important stories. Stories that I needed as a kid.
Published in Dutch on Joop. Independently published in English on Medium.
Image: Screenshot 'Muppet Babies' S03E19a. © Disney. Used under Dutch citation right.
OnlyFans has banned sexually explicit material from their platform, and is thus kicking many sex workers and content creators out on the street. I'm sick of it. It's time we abolish the stigma around sex work and give them the same respect as people with any other job. Sex work is work.
Published in Dutch on Joop. Independently published in English on Medium.
Over the past weeks, the world has been struck by several natural disasters which have cost hundreds of people their lives. These disasters are integrally connected to climate change. I hope that this can finally be a turning point in the tackling of the climate crisis.
Published in Dutch on Joop. Independently published in English on Medium.
Image: Wikimedia Commons.
The Ministry of Justice and Security has a new law proposal that could have great impact on your online freedom and privacy. At the time of publications, readers had one day left to formally file a response. I did that, because both the contents of this law and the way it's being treated are not okay.
Published on Joop
Image: EU2018BG Bulgarian Presidency via Flickr. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.
In the Netherlands, on May 5th, we celebrate that we are free. However, my thoughts were with the countless people that aren't free right now. A look into the questions I have about how people around the world are doing right now.
Published on Joop
Image: Pixabay
While the Netherlands are celebrating freedom, right extremism continues to grow. That's why on the Remembrance of the Dead, I plead: don't just remember the past, but apply the lessons from the past to the dangerous ideologies of the present.
Published on Joop
Image: E. Dronkert via Flickr. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.
The new children's television show Gewoon. Bloot. (roughly translated: Just. Naked.), where kids get to ask naked adults questions, got a tidal wave of criticism as soon as it was announced. In contrast, I see a very valuable and educational program about an important subject.
Published on Joop
Image: screenshot 'Gewoon. Bloot.'. © NTR.
After the Netherlands went under curfew, riots broke out all across the Netherlands. The police acted vigorously, but at the same time groups of football supporters decided to play for own judge. This was largely applauded, but I think we should not approve of this.
Published on Joop
Image: Wikimedia Commons.
In the political debate, the role of social media is huge. Despite this it happens a little too often that discussion and the sharing of opinions is abruptly halted because politicians block people with a different opinion. This is no longer acceptable.
Published on Joop
Image: Pixabay
The anti racism protests of 2020 deeply touched me. However, they also brought me to new insights. White privilege exists, and it's high time we as white people become aware of that.
Independently published in Dutch and English on LinkedIn.
Image: Wikimedia Commons. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.
During the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020, companies were tumbling over each other to show their support. Unfortunately, after this most companies didn't do anything else with the topic. This shameless sympathy farming should not be tolerated.
Published on Joop in Dutch. Independently published in English on LinkedIn.
Image: screenshot Twitter account Disney. Used under Dutch citation right.
In 2017 and 2018, there was a lot of commotion in the Netherlands surrounding the Intelligence and Security Services Act 2017, commonly referred to as Wiv 2017, or by opponents as the 'Sleepwet'. Now, a few years later, nobody is talking about it anymore. Despite that, the act has been law for a good while now. How are things going?
Originally written for the minor Privacy Management of the Hanze University of Applied Sciences. Independently published on LinkedIn.
In 2019, Dutch farmers took to the highways to protest. In these protests, people who plead in favour of reducing the livestock are often portrayed as villainous farmer haters. I see it differently: we have to switch to a system that works for farmers, without intensive cattle farming.
Published in Dutch in the October 2nd, 2019 edition of Dagblad van het Noorden, as well as on Parlement.com. Published in Dutch and English on the official website of PINK!.
Image: Wikimedia Commons. Used under a CC BY-SA 2.0 license.
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