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27.05.2018 Feature Article

African In Belgium For 20 Years But Can't Speak Flemish Or French

African In Belgium For 20 Years But Can't Speak Flemish Or French
27.05.2018 LISTEN

How does a White man sees an African in his country over more than fifteen to twenty years, holding a Belgian or Dutch passport, but can’t speak the Netherlands? Waiting to be served at the post office, an African handed over her Belgium passport to one of the women serving behind the counter.

She asked the African woman“ Wat kan ik voor jou doen?” – What can I do for you? I think taking the number of years she has lived in Belgium into consideration, she was expecting her to speak the language. “I want to take money,” was the reply of the African woman. Unexpectedly the Belgian woman behind the counter throws back “Spreek Nederlands.” – Speak the Netherlands.

The African woman wasn't happy with the statement the post office worker made and she openly attacked the woman verbally. Standing at the post office as a black man, I felt really embarrassed. I was expecting the African woman to tell her politely that she is learning the language. How do you expect a Belgian or the Dutch to receive you when you have been in their country for ages without speaking their language?

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints originates from Utah, Salt Lake City, in America. The church is all over the world, including Africa. Before any of its missionaries go abroad, they do intensive language course within six weeks to enable the missionaries to communicate with the people. The reason within six weeks a missionary speaks, French, Danish, German or Dutch.

So as an African in a foreign country over ten years, if you can't speak German; Italian, Flemish, Spanish etc; how do citizens of the country view you, clever or stupid? I was very embarrassed over what I witnessed at the post office.

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