At a public lecture held at the Millar Institute for Transdisciplinary and Development Studies (MITDS) ahead of its 10th anniversary, Marvin Hokstam, Executive Director of Broos Institute, passionately addressed the audience on the biggest challenge facing Africans globally. Apexnewsgh reports
“Our greatest obstacle is overcoming the mindset of inferiority imposed upon us,” he emphasized.
For centuries, Africans have been conditioned to believe in their own inadequacy, a legacy of colonialism and oppression. This mindset hinders economic growth, mediocrity, and self-actualization within African communities worldwide, including the Caribbean, Suriname, and the US.
Hokstam stressed that education is the key to liberation. “We must educate ourselves about ourselves, our history, and our culture from an Afrocentric perspective.” By doing so, Africans can reclaim their identity, determine their future, and build a brighter tomorrow.
However, Hokstam acknowledged that adopting this solution won’t be easy. “We’ve been brainwashed by Eurocentric narratives, making it difficult to reteach ourselves.” Yet, he remains optimistic, emphasizing the importance of educating future generations.
“As ancestors-in-the-making, we must create a legacy of empowerment for our descendants. Let us teach them the right way, so they don’t have to unlearn misconceptions later.” Hokstam’s words resonated deeply, inspiring a new wave of African unity and self-determination.
However, Marvin Hokstam passionately spoke about the lingering impact of colonialism and slavery on people of African descent. “For centuries, we’ve been confined by the limitations of white supremacy, forced to adopt European names, identities, and religions. Our true heritage was erased, replaced by the colonizer’s narrative.”
Hokstam used the analogy of a goldfish in a tiny bowl to illustrate the stifling effects of Eurocentrism. “Just as the fish will never grow in a confined space, our potential is stifled by the dominant culture. But when freed from these constraints, we can thrive.”
He shared his country, Suriname’s, complex history as a melting pot of ethnicities, colonized by the Dutch from the 15th century until 1975. Africans were brought as slaves, forced to work for 300 years, and stripped of their names, identities, cultures, and religions.
“By the time slavery ended in 1863, we had lost our sense of self,” Hokstam said. “We were given European names, like mine, Hokstam, which means nothing. Our African past and future were stolen.”
Hokstam emphasized the importance of rediscovering their true identity, free from Eurocentric constraints. “Our music, art, and scientific contributions are extraordinary, but often dragged back into the suffocating confines of dominance. It’s time to break free and reclaim our heritage.” He stressed
Speaking about Broos and MITDS, Hokstam says, the collaboration between Broos Institute and MITDS marks a significant step towards this vision. He further shared, “I was drawn to MITDS’s African-centered approach, aligning with our activism in the Netherlands.” Together, they aim to rewrite the narrative, fostering a proud and empowered African identity.
Broos Institute Executive Director concluded the audience was left with a profound message: education, self-awareness, and unity hold the power to shatter the chains of inferiority, unlocking a brighter future for Africans worldwide.
The public lecture, delivered by Marvin Hokstam, drew a diverse audience, including PhD students from the Millar Institute for Transdisciplinary and Development Studies (MITDS), as well as professionals from various fields. The event provided a platform for intellectual discourse and exchange of ideas among academics, practitioners, and community leaders.
Following the captivating lecture, Marvin Hokstam presented a beautifully crafted art piece to Prof. David Millar, Founder of the Millar Institute for Transdisciplinary and Development Studies (MITDS), as a token of appreciation. Prof. Millar graciously accepted the gift.
In a surprising gesture of reciprocity, Prof. Millar offered Marvin Hokstam, Executive Director of Broos Institute, an office apartment within the MITDS premises. This generous offer aimed to strengthen the partnership between Broos Institute and MITDS.
“This gesture will facilitate our collaborative efforts,” Prof. Millar stated, “enabling us to work closely together to advance our shared vision of promoting African heritage and identity.”
Marvin Hokstam expressed gratitude, saying, “This office space will serve as a hub for our joint initiatives, fostering innovation and progress. We look forward to a fruitful partnership.”
The exchange symbolized the beginning of meaningful collaboration, poised to yield impactful outcomes in education, research, and community development.
The anniversary theme was centered on: Empowering lives through inclusive education and Transdisciplinary scholarship.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
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