Cultural discourses in the Netherlands: Talking about ethnic minorities in the inner‐city

Abstract

This paper examines how ethnic Dutch residents of two old neighborhoods in the city of Rotterdam use the notion of “culture” when they talk and argue among themselves about the multi‐ethnic area they live in. Some of the ways in which culture as a discourse is used are outlined and some of the possible effects such a discourse may have are discussed. It is shown that the term culture is used in a self‐evident and self‐sufficient way as a commonplace. In addition, most of the inhabitants use a reified and essentialistic notion of culture for constructing “us” and “them” distinctions. Cultural differences are evaluated in favor of one's own group and used for arguing for the incompatibility of cultural groups. Three conceptualizations of culture can be distinguished. All three have the effect of “blaming the victim,” but each attributes a different degree of blame to immigrant groups: culture as heritage, culture as doctrine, and culture as mentality. The notion of culture is used flexibly and in a self‐serving way to explain different phenomena. However, cultural change and personal determination are recognized. Also the presence of immigrant groups is accepted and the need to find some sort of modus vivendi is acknowledged.