Janice Deul, a prominent Afro-Dutch journalist and author, explores themes of identity, racism, and belonging in her new book, “Can I still be at home in this country.” The book was prompted by the rise of right-wing politics in the Netherlands and its impact on Deul’s sense of belonging and the experiences of other Afro-Dutch individuals.

Deul emphasizes the importance of recognizing the ongoing discrimination faced by Black people, even amidst shifting societal focuses. She notes that while movements like Black Lives Matter have raised awareness, the focus on anti-black racism often wanes as attention shifts to other issues. Research continues to show that Black people remain among the most discriminated against groups.

Deul recounts a controversy surrounding the translation of Amanda Gorman’s poem, “The Hill We Climb,” where the selection of a white translator sparked debate. Deul argued that the ideal translator would share Gorman’s background as a Black, young, female spoken word artist. The controversy led to reflection on the translation of texts centered on emancipation and inequality.

Despite the challenges, Deul credits conversations with Afro-Dutch women like Poet Laureate Babs Gons, author Roline Redmond, and anthropologist Aminata Cairo with helping her find a constructive outlook. These exchanges inspired hope and reinforced the belief that positive change is still possible. Deul’s book aims to inspire readers to consider how such a turning point might be achieved.

Reflecting on her personal background, Deul fondly recalls her early years in Wageningen. While born in Rotterdam, she had a difficult relationship with the city, which she now appreciates its diversity. She acknowledges the influence of her parents, who instilled in her a sense of self-assurance and the belief that she could achieve anything.

Deul also touches upon her career path, which has spanned fashion journalism, lifestyle magazines, and commentary on diversity and inclusion. She is very happy with the choice to start a campaign to draw attention to the lack of diversity on the covers of fashion magazines. In 2016, she launched a social media campaign to highlight the lack of diversity on fashion magazine covers, and she wrote an opinion piece on the subject.