Re-Imaging Denmark

my old block when i first moved to Vesterbro...

I'm loving being back in Vesterbro - a vibrant, diverse neighborhood that is more of a match for where I am in life right now. It's quite inspiring and reminds me of the big city vibe that a small city like Copenhagen can sometimes have. 

I live right off of Istedgade - close to the Central Station. I usually refer to Istedgade as the crack of Copenhagen's ass - you'll find all kinds of illicit goings-on here - from prostitutes to drug users to the johns of course. But that is not all this part of Copenhagen has to offer. Luckily for me there are no shortage of greengrocers who have okra, cassava, plantain and scotch bonnet peppers for sale. This is all in the midst of a bustling street that includes young parents, hipsters and students.  Vesterbro has changed much since I lived here some years ago - but perhaps it's because it's the same neighborhood I first moved to when I first got here that I feel the closest thing to being home here.  I've managed to live in every neighborhood in Copenhagen - and enjoyed them all. 

Last night the Murmur had a a little meet & greet where we invited folks to come by for beer and a chat. The Murmur is an English language newspaper here that writes about Danish news, internationally.  Some may wonder why there is a need for such a thing - but after being here for 16 years folks need to know that although Denmark is a small country - it's been making big moves, politically, economically,creatively and socially.  Denmark's role on the world political stage is always interesting - although for the past 16 or so years one may say that Denmark is to American what Birgitte Nielsen was to Sylvester Stallone. 

I've been getting more into Danish history and there is so much fascinating stuff, I don't even know where to start.  First of all - the Black presence here - historically speaking is off the chain. Folks don't even know - for example - and I do think I've mentioned this before- but it's such a cool story that it's mentioning again, the story of Hans Jonatan. Who is ? Well, Denmark, like most other European countries had of course slave colonies (this is how Europe got her wealth).  From Wiki: 

Hans Jonatan (1784-1827) was the subject of an important test case in Danish law on slavery. Fleeing to Iceland, he became one of the first people of colour to live in Iceland. As of April 2014, a biography of Jonatan is being written by Gísli Pálsson.^[1] 

Hans Jonatan was born a slave on the plantation at Constitution Hill on the island of St Croix in the Caribbean, which had become a Danish colony in 1733 when purchased by the Danish West India Company from France. His paternity is uncertain, but his father was certainly white; his mother was Emilia Regina, a black 'house slave' who is first recorded in 1773 at the St Croix plantation of La Reine, where she was presumably born. In 1788, Emilia had a daughter, Anna Maria, this time by a black man, Andreas, who at the time was a house slave too; but their fates are not recorded.^[2] The details of the West African ancestry of Hans's mother are not known, though it may be revealed by ongoing genetic research.^[3]

Hans Jonatan was owned by a Dane, Heinrich Ludvig Ernst von Schimmelmann.^[4]

In 1789 the Schimmelmann family moved to Copenhagen as the plantation business took a downturn, bringing Emilia Regina and, later, Hans Jonatan with them.^[5] Not long afterwards, Heinrich died, bequeathing Hans to his widow Henriette Catharine von Schimmelmann. In 1801, at the age of seventeen, Hans Jonatan escaped. It appears that Hans Jonatan joined the Danish Navy 'and fought in the Napoleonic War, for which he received recognition and respect among Danish aristocrats'.^[6][3] Later taken by the police, he and his lawyer Algreen-Ussing argued in 1802 before a Copenhagen court under the judge Anders Sandøe Ørsted that although slavery was still legal in the Danish West Indies, as slavery was illegal in Denmark, Hans Jonatan could not be kept as a slave. However, in the case Generalmajorinde Henriette de Schimmelmann contra mulatten Hans Jonathan 1802, Ørsted sentenced him on March 31st 1802 to be returned to the West Indies.

He escaped again and for many years nothing was heard of him until he turned up in Iceland:

Hans Jonatan escaped again, however, and his fate remained unknown to the Danish administration. It was only around the 1990s that the rest of his story was pieced together and started to become generally known.^[7][5] His movements immediately after 1802 are unknown, but in 1805 he arrived in Djúpivogur in Iceland. Our first record of Hans Jonatan after 1802 is in the diary of the Norwegian cartographer Hans Frisak for August 4th 1812:

The agent at the trading post here is from the West Indies, and has no surname ... but calls himself Hans Jonatan. He is very dark-skinned and has coal-black, curly hair. His father is European but his mother a negro. He was twelve years old when he came to Denmark from the West Indies along with the governor Schimmelmann, and twenty-one when he came to Iceland seven years ago.^{[note 1]}

Frisak hired Hans Jonatan as a guide. Hans lived as a peasant farmer at Borgargarður working at the Danish trading station in Djúpivogur. He took over the running of the trading post in 1819.^[5] By February 1820, Hans had married Katrín Antoníusdóttir from Háls. They had three children; two survived childhood, and their living descendants now number nearly five hundred;^[3] among the most famous is one-time prime minister Davíð Oddsson.^[8]

Hans Jonatan died in 1827.

In Thomas C. Holt's landmark book The Problem of Freedom: Race, Labor, and Politics in Jamaica and Britain, 1832-1938 (Johns Hopkins Studies in Atlantic History and Culture), Holt goes into the very fundamental idea that if "freedom" is something that must be debated - then there can never be true "freedom" - thus the delema of the concept of "freedom" in a world where courts determine such a status. I highly recommend this book if you are interested in the philosophical and social implications of "freedom" as a legal concept. 

There are many Blacks in the history of Denmark - Nella Larsen is a one such Dane. Nella Larsen was born to a Danish mother and her father was originally from the Danish West Indies. Larsen went on to play a huge role in the Harlem Renaissance with her novels Quicksand and Passing which covers the nuances of racism both in the U.S. and in Denmark. If I'm not mistaken (Wikipedia doesn't mention this), but I do believe I read once that Larsen has the distinction of not only being the first Black to win a Guggenheim Fellowship, but to be the first woman to have done so. 

Another Black writer connected with Denmark is Cecil Brown. He wrote the Lives and Loves of Mr. Jive Ass Nigger an early fictional  discourse on the conundrum of race and how it is experienced in Denmark in relation to the US. In a racially homogenous society as Denmark, many were socialized here with the good intentioned idea that race doesn't exist, and since most don't know about Denmark's colonial past many are quick to adhere to the "I don't see race" card. Unfortunately this combination of ignorance and privilege has done very little in Danes understanding the true nature of Race and racism and this has had detrimental repercussions to many of the Blacks I know living here. Many Blacks I know, including myself experience that any mention of race is like throwing cold water on a Dane's face - and the penalty for mentioning the "R" word is that it can be and will be used against you. In other words, dare to bring up the concept of race and you yourself are deemed a racist - which in itself shows the vast ignorance of this matter. We can't get anywhere - human beings - until folks stare their ancestral legacy in the eyes. Hopefully my presence and the that of others will bring some shift in this perception. 

Race is just as bound into the material of Danish society as it is in the States - it's just, as mentioned, that due to the general historical amnesia experienced here many don't understand its foundational quality to Danish culture. Hans Christian Andersen is known most today for his Fairy Tales, but as someone recently shared with me he was most known as a playwright during his lifetime. His most famous play? The one that was big theatrical hit? Took place on a French Caribbean plantation and involves two plantations: One white owned the other owned by a Free Black. The premise of the play is that the wife of the white plantation owner and her friend fall in love with this free Black man. Her husband finds out and arranges to have him enslaved. The only way out for the Black man is to marry the white woman. 

Again, as Holt so eloquently shows in his work "The Problem of Freedom" is that if freedom is up for discussion at all in any society - then it does not truly exist. 

Denmark is a fascinating place to be and these are fascinating times. There are many different people, for different reasons - many purposely seeking to live here given the news that it's the "happiest country in the world".  It is true that the quality of life is high here for most - and that there is a large, somewhat buffered middle class.  John Maynard Keynes mentioned that the most perfect state of capitalism is to have a large state - a state that ensures employment so that the wealth is distributed more evenly.  Denmark is perhaps the country that comes closest to this ideal - although in the 16 years I've been here there is definitely a pull to be more of a competitive capitalist society (influenced by the States). I'm not sure how this will work out - but if history is any indicator - and the number of homeless people which is on the rise here as well - it may not be the most comfortable bet for some. 

I met a very interesting young lady at the party last night - she's Danish and was adopted from North Korea. We talked about this - there are many adoptees here in Denmark from different countries - with Korea having been one of the biggest exports of babies during a certain time period. We talked about her experiences and in her grace she said something to me that I had never thought about. I asked her about how she felt about it and she disclosed to me that whenever she attempted to broach the subject to her parents that they would get hurt. That her parents and all those around her insisted that they did not see race - and how this insistence came from a sincere, beautiful place but the reality of course is much deeper. There is only so much she can go with this discussion with her parents - for the hurt that they express is enough to shut the conversation down. I find this interesting and very similar to how many react to race: if there is any emotion of guilt or shame the discussion tends to stop. Which is ironic because it is only through dialogue that we can truly understand each other, and so come closer together. 

She also shared with me some of her experiences as growing up as an Asian woman in this society - the stereotypes connected to that and how that has shaped her world view. We also talked about Korea - North and South - and she shared with the me the fascinating fact that in Korea - every person has their own kimchi recipe (I'm a kimchi fan). 

Victor Bennett also came out to the party last night. Victor is a brother from DC who spearheaded the African Empowerment Center here in Denmark, along with some others and whose work included having an organized response to racism here. I first met Victor during the Dan Park debacle here, and since then we have met and talked, exchanged experiences and visions.  He is inspiring and one of the few that I have met during my time here where his work does not seem to be tied up in ego. He seems genuinely committed to the issue of human rights and how that applies to people of African descent here and in Europe and the world. 

One of the observations I have made about race is the unfortunate divide that sometimes arise among people of African descent around the world.  One infamous incident of course was having a Jamaican poet visit me here in Copenhagen and have her express a deeply rooted dislike and lack of respect for African Americans. I am familiar with this dis-ease - as I myself come from a Caribbean family and have grown up hearing disparaging comments regarding African Americans.  Many from the Caribbean take on a very elite and snobbish attitude towards African Americans - believing what the media has spent so many years in cultivating- in the systematic dehumanization of Blacks. Unfortunately these people are ignorant of history, of the true contributions that African Americans have made not only politically, economically and socially but to the true import of their role in African Diaspora politics. When you look at the history of the States and that of the Caribbean - there are not many Caribbean islands where the peculiar institution looked the way that it did in the States. Blacks in the Caribbean were not disenfranchised to the degree that African Americans were and have continued to be - and many Black immigrants, rather than understand the role their migration to the States play in this choose unfortunately to embrace the white supremacist ideas that they have been fed. 

I feel very strongly about this because growing up in Brooklyn one of the women who helped raise me was an African American woman - who through her actions taught me how open and rich African American culture truly is. Through her and her family, I learned first hand how the experience of African Americans and the migration from the South imprinted their lives, how American slavery left its mark and if it didn't - how certain laws and policy effected them and in turn, us - to quite a degree. Unfortunately I have noticed the same tendencies here - with many Blacks from Africa or the Caribbean not truly understanding the important role that African Americans play in our struggle and they continue the exclusion of American Blacks. It's sad, but a strong reminder of Isaac Julien's words that you can't tell someone's politics from the way that they look.  

I met two other Americans last night - Joe and Andre. Joe is from the Bronx and is a mixed Martial artist. Andre an American footballer from Long Beach. We all sat: Bente a Norwegian, Liam from Ireland, Victor and myself and exchanged ideas and experiences.  It is indeed interesting times in Denmark and it instils hope in me whenever I am surrounded by intelligent, sharp folks. 

The fact of the matter is that Denmark is a destination for many: no matter where you come from. The city is beautiful, and many of the people too.  But is Denmark open enough for such a venture? For example I met up with Hamid the other day and he told me the fascinating story of a young couple who was recently granted a "Danish green card." Apparently, Denmark hands out a certain number of green cards to people who can potentially fill a professional gap here - for example engineers, doctors etc. In order to fulfill the requirements, however, you must prove that you can financially support yourself when you get here - and let me tell you, Denmark is not cheap and navigating the job/real estate market without having a network and/or job is next to futile.  So this young couple from Iran is here - and again, remember, they must have a certain amount of funds available just in order to get here. 

The problem is that many come here in very much the same way that folks migrate to the States. They see this as a new opportunity, a chance to get what so many of us seem to want: a way to earn money, contribute to society, create a family. You know, the regular stuff. The problem is, or shall I say the question is: Is there truly any opportunity here for immigrants? Will this young couple be able to find a job in the 3 years they have been granted to do so? Will Denmark open her doors career wise to them? Hamid and a whole host of others don't seem to think so.  Many see Denmark as a country who appears to be open but in reality she is not. 

I read in the paper yesterday that a German official remarked that no one in Germany could get away with the rhetoric that is accepted as the norm here in Denmark. Many notice the harsh tone in which politicians speak about foreigners, and the fact that the nationalist party, the Danish People's Party is the majority- a party that has a strong anti-Muslim stance.  Denmark is seriously going through an identity crisis and with so many caught up in the usual Western distraction of prime-time news, slanted editorials and political agendas - I wonder where she is going. Thankfully  many of the young people I meet are hopeful, and open, for change. 

One great example is the general response that regular Danes have had to the recent shooting at the Synagogue that happened a few weeks ago. It was an  unfortunate incident that included a young man who had recently been released from jail, and who the news reports actually asked the State for help- because he knew he was struggling and needed support. Interestingly enough he was denied. The unfortunate part of this is that he clearly was having emotional/mental issues - something common in individuals who have traumatized through war and/or displacement.  For example, Denmark has a significant Palestinian population - with many Palestinians being treated like 2nd class citizens. Remember the story that I posted written by one of my former 6th grader's, who is now in his early 20s? He talked about regular stop and frisks and continues to share stories of his being pulled over by the police despite the fact that he is not engaged in any illegal activity. Sounds familiar? Many immigrants here have been placed in ghettoes - and this was another interesting conversation that we had last night: Ghettoes are not by accident. They are created. Architecture determines behavior. 

Sergeot Uzan, Dan Uzans father (one of the victims in the recent Copenhagen shooting)
w Yahya Hassan, the Danish Palestinian poet.
photo Bente Jaeger

photo Bente Jaeger

photo Bente Jaeger

photo Bente Jaeger

This tragedy however seems to have pulled a lot of rational thinking Danes together. Last weekend I attended an event arranged by a Muslim organization to form a ring around the Synagogue - one of the scenes of the attack- and there was a heavy police presence (since the shooting Denmark has received 8 billion kroner to combat "terror") who are now brandishing machine guns. This is new for Denmark - and many, including many in the police force believe it to be an overreaction to the event. Many have also expressed dismay that so much money is being used for weapons, rather than investing the money in social programs to ensure that the many who have fallen through the social and economic cracks in the Danish system can be assisted and thus experience a higher quality of life. 

The worst thing that can be done to someone is to take away their ability to engage in an endeavor that helps them maintain their dignity. When someone's dignity is under attack it becomes a sure -fire way of cultivating hate. It's math. 

I also want to take a moment to express my respect for one of the victim's father - he came out to the demonstration and has been very open about his feelings regarding the loss of his son. Rather than spread hate he has been using this as an opportunity to bring Copenhagen and Denmark closer together. One of my favorite moments from last week was seeing a picture with him hugging Yahya Hassan - a Danish poet of Palestinian roots.  In the video, Hassan apologizes - to which  Sergeot Uzan, Dan Uzans father replied, "You have nothing to apologize for. Just continue to do what you do." It was a very powerful moment in Danish culture and politics because Hassan has had the balls and the diplomacy to speak for many here who have felt themselves abandoned by the media and social justice system. 

Yes, it is indeed interesting times to be in Denmark. 

farvel, 

Lesley-Ann Brown