White Dutch Research Articles

Performance, haemato-biochemical and reproductive potential indices of New Zealand White and Dutch Belted rabbit bucks fed diets containing monosodium glutamate

The study aimed to assess the growth performance, haematology, serum biochemistry, gonadal and extragonadal sperm reserves of two breeds of rabbit bucks fed dietary monosodium glutamate (MSG) at varying inclusion levels (0.00, 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75 g/kg diet). A total of 320 sexually mature New Zealand White Bucks and Dutch Belted Bucks aged 8 to 10 mo with average weight ranging from 1.34 to 1.96 kg were used for the study, which lasted 8 wk. The bucks were weighed and distributed to the four treatment diets. Each treatment was replicated 10 times with four bucks per replicate in a 2×4 factorial experiment. At the end of the feeding trial, 2 bucks per replicate were euthanised. Blood samples were collected from the jugular veins for haematological and serum analyses and their reproductive tracts were dissected. The testes and epididymides were carefully sampled, weighed and processed. The results showed that the bucks fed the diet containing 0.25 g MSG/kg had the best (P<0.05) feed conversion ratio and daily weight gain, daily sperm production and sperm production efficiency. The inclusions of up to 0.75 g MSG/kg diet did not compromise the bucks’ health status, performance and reproductive potential, irrespective of their breeds. However, optimum performance and sperm production were recorded at 0.25 g MSG/kg diet. This study suggests that dietary MSG at 0.25 g/kg in diet can significantly improve rabbit feed palatability, thereby bringing about optimum growth performance, sperm production, and efficiency without causing any physiological imbalance ino the bucks.

Maternal Attitudes Toward Child Interethnic Relations in the Netherlands: Facilitating Intergroup Contact Effects?

Ethnic diversity and interethnic contact are increasing in Europe. Intergroup contact theory suggests interethnic contact to improve interethnic attitudes, but for young children, parental attitudes toward child interethnic relations might be an important factor determining whether they are exposed to these potentially positive contact effects. This study therefore examined maternal attitudes toward child contact with different ethnic outgroups among 251 mothers (137 White Dutch, 69 Turkish-Dutch, and 45 Afro-Dutch) of a 6- to 10-year-old child ( M = 7.51, SD = 0.98). Furthermore, associations between maternal attitudes toward child interethnic relations and child outgroup rejection were examined, as well as mediation effects of child actual outgroup contact. Neutral to positive maternal attitudes toward child interethnic relations were found, with relatively more negative attitudes among Turkish-Dutch than White Dutch and Afro-Dutch mothers, and toward child relations with Muslims as compared to another outgroup among White Dutch and Afro-Dutch mothers. Furthermore, results did not indicate that maternal attitudes were related to child actual outgroup contact or child outgroup prejudice and no support for the intergroup contact theory was found. These results suggest that intergroup contact theory does not easily apply, highlighting the need for more research on children in various populations and contexts using different measures and informants. Patterns from the present study suggest that most improvement in terms of maternal attitudes fostering child interethnic relations can be made in the interethnic relations including ethnic groups in the Netherlands that predominantly identify as Muslim.

Use of Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Assess the Regenerative Effects of Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in a Rabbit Cartilaginous Laryngeal Defect Model

BackgroundStenosis and scar formation after repair of laryngeal tissue defects are serious problems that can significantly influence a patient's quality of life.ObjectiveIn this study, we evaluated the use of magnetic resonance imaging to assess the efficacy of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) on cartilaginous regeneration in an experimental rabbit model.MethodsTen male white Dutch rabbits each had a 5 mm cartilaginous defect created surgically in the right and left thyroid lamina. On the right side, ASCs labeled with iron oxide particles were infused. As a control, the left side was left untreated. Repair of the defects were then evaluated by direct observation, histological evaluation, and magnetic resonance imaging monitoring done on days 1, 7, 14, and 28.ResultsHistological examination revealed that compared with control, transplanted ASCs significantly increased cartilage regeneration (P ˂ 0.001), reduced inflammation (P ˂ 0.001), and fibrosis (P = 0.050). Magnetic resonance imaging tracking showed accurate placement and viability of the infused ASCs, as evidenced by low signal intensity onT2 weighted images at the level of the right thyroid cartilage.ConclusionsInfusion of ASCs improved laryngeal regeneration of surgically induced cartilaginous defects while decreasing fibrous tissue formation in this in vivo rabbit model. Furthermore, magnetic resonance imaging was shown to be a useful, noninvasive method to track correct ASCs placement and viability in cartilage regeneration in this animal model.

Navigating diversity: Maternal ideologies and associations with child interethnic prejudice in the Netherlands

AbstractParental diversity ideologies are linked to their own interethnic prejudice, but how do they relate to children's prejudice? This study examined self‐reported endorsement of colorblind ideology and multiculturalism among mothers (138 White Dutch, 65 Turkish‐Dutch, and 45 Afro‐Dutch) of 6‐to 10‐year old children (55% girls), and its association with child interethnic prejudice. Endorsement of multiculturalism was lowest among White Dutch mothers, and endorsement of colorblind ideology was lowest among Afro‐Dutch mothers. Maternal endorsement of multiculturalism was negatively related to child outgroup prejudice among White Dutch families and among Turkish‐Dutch families in the context of underrepresented outgroups, and results suggest no or opposite associations for colorblind ideology. Future research should explore what parenting based on these ideologies looks like, but the present study points parents in the direction of a multicultural, rather than colorblind, approach.

New branch of poultry breeding in the Tyumen region

In many regions of the Russian Federation, the turkey breeding industry is just beginning to develop, which determines the relevance of research at the regional level. The purpose of the research was to analyze the production activity of a new branch of turkey breeding in the Tyumen region. The technology of keeping turkeys of the cross Hybrid Converter under the conditions of LLC “Absolut-Agro” at the Yurginskaya poultry farm has been analyzed in the paper. LLC “Absolut-Agro” is a large and promising poultry enterprise that has a closed production cycle. The cross Hybrid Converter was obtained as a result of crossbreeding two breeds: Bronze broad-chested and White Dutch. The analysis of the rearing of young turkeys from the daily age to slaughter has been carried out. In order to conduct the research 3 groups of turkeys have been formed by the years of rearing – 2017, 2018 and 2019. The dynamics of the growth of young turkeys has been presented, the effectiveness of feed use, the livability of poultry has been analyzed, and the economic effectiveness of rearing has been calculated. In order to determine the effectiveness of feed use, we studied the growth dynamics of young turkeys. During the rearing periods, observations were made on the livability of poultry, the state of health, and the feed consumption. The change in live weight has been determined by weighing the young turkeys every seven days during the rearing period. The group of rearing turkeys in 2019 surpassed the groups of 2017 and 2018 in all indicators, which were due to the enterprise reaching full production capacity in 2018. The poultry raised in 2019 showed the highest production effect. Feed consumption per 1 kg of live weight gain during the rearing period amounted to 2,25 kg in 2017, 2,19 kg in 2018, the lowest feed consumption was in 2019 and amounted to 2,16 kg. Thus, the current state of the turkey breeding industry has just begun its activity in the Tyumen region. In the company LLC “Absolut Agro” the most modern equipment has been installed and created conditions for turkey rearing, which allow improving the production indicators of the enterprise every year and developing the new poultry industry in the region.

Working through and with whiteness in fieldwork practice: activating an ethic of solidarity in race research in the Netherlands

ABSTRACT This article examines how whiteness operates within research projects – specifically projects where white researchers undertake studies on race – and offers possibilities for activating an ‘ethic of solidarity’ within and through skewed power dynamics. An ‘ethic of solidarity’ offers five areas for white researchers to reflect and act on: probing positionality, interrogating epistemic assumptions, disrupting hierarchies of power, shifting asymmetrical dialogue, and practicing decolonial research. With examples from my participatory theatre research with white, Black, and Brown Dutch youth in the Netherlands, I demonstrate how these reflections can turn into action. I offer the term an ‘ethic of solidarity’ to refer to a process of reflection, self-positioning, and action that is, in fact, an essential methodological component in social justice research design and process. In doing so, this article provides insight into how white researchers can undertake politically engaged research by activating solidarity.

\u201cThey have no taste in Morocco.\u201d Home furnishing, belonging, and notions of religious (im)perfection among white Dutch and Flemish converts in Morocco

This article focuses on furnishing practices in the domestic space of the homes of white Flemish and Dutch Muslim female converts to Islam who made hijra (Islamic migration) to Morocco. Fed up with European Islamophobia and longing for a place that supports and strengthens their faith, they decided to emigrate to a Muslim country. However, remarkably, once settled in Morocco, many experience discontent with regard to a perceived “lack of true Islam” in the country. To gain insight into the positions and experiences of these women, I look at how they create a sense of belonging through furnishing practices in the domestic space of their new homes. I am interested in how various senses of belonging are expressed and come together in relation to their construction of religious belonging and place, and are renegotiated through domestic decoration practices. Building on literature on home, transnational migration, conversion, and material religion, I demonstrate that mechanisms of distinction and notions of religious (im)perfection intersect in the organization of the domestic space. Based on ethnographic accounts, I argue that my interlocutors bring a “culturalized” West-European Islam to Morocco, with tastes and sensibilities that jostle uneasily against local Moroccan religious practices but also allows them to repair some of the privileges they lost upon their conversion in their homeland. Lastly, this article shows that it is through the engagement with mundane material forms, but also with absence and empty spaces, that Islam becomes present in their domestic spaces, enhancing the cultivation of their ethical selves.

Assessing the genetic background and genomic relatedness of red cattle populations originating from Northern Europe

BackgroundLocal cattle breeds need special attention, as they are valuable reservoirs of genetic diversity. Appropriate breeding decisions and adequate genomic management of numerically smaller populations are required for their conservation. At this point, the analysis of dense genome-wide marker arrays provides encompassing insights into the genomic constitution of livestock populations. We have analyzed the genetic characterization of ten cattle breeds originating from Germany, The Netherlands and Denmark belonging to the group of red dairy breeds in Northern Europe. The results are intended to provide initial evidence on whether joint genomic breeding strategies of these populations will be successful.ResultsTraditional Danish Red and Groningen White-Headed were the most genetically differentiated breeds and their populations showed the highest levels of inbreeding. In contrast, close genetic relationships and shared ancestry were observed for the populations of German Red and White Dual-Purpose, Dutch Meuse-Rhine-Yssel, and Dutch Deep Red breeds, reflecting their common histories. A considerable amount of gene flow from Red Holstein to German Angler and to German Red and White Dual-Purpose was revealed, which is consistent with frequent crossbreeding to improve productivity of these local breeds. In Red Holstein, marked genomic signatures of selection were reported on chromosome 18, suggesting directed selection for important breeding goal traits. Furthermore, tests for signatures of selection between Red Holstein, Red and White Dual-Purpose, and Meuse-Rhine-Yssel uncovered signals for all investigated pairs of populations. The corresponding genomic regions, which were putatively under different selection pressures, harboured various genes which are associated with traits such as milk and beef production, mastitis and female fertility.ConclusionsThis study provides comprehensive knowledge on the genetic constitution and genomic connectedness of divergent red cattle populations in Northern Europe. The results will help to design and optimize breeding strategies. A joint genomic evaluation including some of the breeds studied here seems feasible.

The Healing Effect of Amniotic Membrane in Laryngeal Defects in Rabbit Model.

Fibrosis and scar formation following laryngeal repairing is a major concern. This study evaluated the efficacy of applying amniotic membrane (AM) as a biologic dressing to reduce fibrosis and inflammation and promote cartilage repair. Experimental animal study. Nine male white Dutch rabbits were selected. A standard defect (5 mm) was created in right and left thyroid lamina. In the right side, two layers of AM were applied while the left side was kept intact for future comparison. Histologic examination with criteria of inflammation, fibrosis, and cartilage regeneration was performed 2, 4, and 6 weeks following AM application. All procedures were done according to animal ethics rules. Histologic and gross examination showed that AM application was able to reduce inflammation and fibrosis and improve cartilage regeneration significantly. As a useful intervention, AM application can reduce inflammation and fibrosis and enhance cartilage regeneration, following laryngeal defect repair. NA Laryngoscope, 131:E527-E533, 2021.

Revised Calculation of Kalinowski’s Ancestral and New Inbreeding Coefficients

To test for the presence of purging in populations, the classical pedigree-based inbreeding coefficient (F) can be decomposed into Kalinowski’s ancestral (FANC) and new (FNEW) inbreeding coefficients. The FANC and FNEW can be calculated by a stochastic approach known as gene dropping. However, the only publicly available algorithm for the calculation of FANC and FNEW, implemented in GRain v 2.1 (and also incorporated in the PEDIG software package), has produced biased estimates. The FANC was systematically underestimated and consequently, FNEW was overestimated. To illustrate this bias, we calculated FANC and FNEW by hand for simple example pedigrees. We revised the GRain program so that it now provides unbiased estimates. Correlations between the biased and unbiased estimates of FANC and FNEW, obtained for example data sets of Hungarian Pannon White rabbits (22,781 individuals) and Dutch Holstein Friesian cattle (37,061 individuals), were high, i.e., >0.96. Although the magnitude of bias appeared to be small, results from studies based on biased estimates should be interpreted with caution. The revised GRain program (v 2.2) is now available online and can be used to calculate unbiased estimates of FANC and FNEW.

Interethnic Prejudice Against Muslims Among White Dutch Children

Interethnic prejudice in children has been studied mostly in the United States, but less often in Europe, where the public discourse is increasingly negative about ethnic minorities, especially the Muslim minority. This study examined in-group favoritism (White preference) and out-group rejection of children of Middle Eastern descent (representing the Muslim minority) among White children in the Netherlands. Social preference for and rejection of children of Middle Eastern descent are compared with preference for and rejection of Black children. Social preference and rejection were measured using a task in which participants were presented with pictures of children with different ethnic appearances, and asked to select who they wanted to (not) play with, (not) sit next to, and invite for their birthday party. In addition, maternal implicit prejudice against people of Middle Eastern descent and explicit attitudes toward their children’s interethnic contact were assessed. The study included 140 children aged 6 to 8 years ( M = 7.26, SD = 0.77) and their mothers. The results reveal both in-group favoritism and out-group rejection. The Middle Eastern out-group was preferred less than the Black out-group. Reporting absolutely no reservations about children’s interethnic contact by mothers was associated with less rejection of children of Middle Eastern descent. Findings reveal that young children already show interethnic prejudice and that particularly people of Middle Eastern descent are devalued. The results show that maternal acceptance of child interethnic contact seems to play a role, and provide starting points for further investigation of the relation between parental and child interethnic attitudes.

Neonatal Diet Impacts Bioregional Microbiota Composition in Piglets Fed Human Breast Milk or Infant Formula

Early infant diet influences postnatal gut microbial development, which in turn can modulate the developing immune system. The aim of this study was to characterize diet-specific bioregional microbiota differences in piglets fed either human breast milk (HM) or infant formula. Male piglets (White Dutch Landrace Duroc) were raised on HM or cow milk formula (MF) from postnatal day (PND) 2 to PND 21 and weaned to an ad libitum diet until PND 51. Piglets were euthanized on either PND 21 or PND 51, and the gastrointestinal contents were collected for 16s RNA sequencing. Data were analyzed using the Quantitative Insight into Microbial Ecology. Diversity measurements (Chao1 and Shannon) and the Wald test were used to determine relative abundance. At PND 21, the ileal luminal region of HM-fed piglets showed lower Chao1 operational taxonomic unit diversity, while Shannon diversity was lower in cecal, proximal colon (PC), and distal colon (DC) luminal regions, relative to MF-fed piglets. In addition, at PND 51, the HM-fed piglets had lower genera diversity within the jejunum, ileum, PC, and DC luminal regions, relative to MF-fed piglets. At PND 21, Turicibacter was 4- to 5-fold lower in the HM-fed piglets' ileal, cecal, PC, and DC luminal regions, relative to the MF-fed piglets. Campylobacter is 3- to 6-fold higher in HM-fed piglets duodenal, ileal, cecal, PC, and DC luminal regions, in comparison to MF-fed piglets. Furthermore, the large intestine (cecum, PC, and rectum) luminal region of HM-fed piglets showed 4- to 7-fold higher genera that belong to class Bacteroidia, in comparison to MF-fed piglets at PND 21. In addition, at PND 51 distal colon lumen of HM-fed piglets showed 1.5-fold higher genera from class Bacteroidia than the MF-fed piglets. In the large intestinal regions (cecum, PC, and rectum), MF diet alters microbiota composition, relative to HM diet, with sustained effects after weaning from the neonatal diet. These microbiota changes could impact immune system and health outcomes later in life.

Perceived to feel less: Intensity bias in interethnic emotion perception

The quality of interactions between individuals from different ethnic groups partly depends on how emotions of individual ethnic group members are interpreted. Previous research has found that facial expressions of emotions of a different ethnic group are recognized less accurately than facial expressions of members of the same ethnic group. The current research focuses on a bias in intensity perception and tests the hypothesis that individuals perceive facial expressions of emotions in ethnic outgroup members as less intense than those of ingroup members' expressions. In addition to nine previously conducted and reported studies (focussing only on embarrassment, Kommattam, Jonas, & Fischer, 2017, Studies 1–9), we conducted a series of three additional studies including white Dutch, U.S., and U.K. participants (N total = 3201) judging the intensity of nine different emotions displayed by different ethnic group members. A random effects model meta-analysis shows that individuals perceive less intense emotions in ethnic outgroup members than in ethnic ingroup members (d = 0.33 [0.08–0.59], (r = 0.16)). This intensity bias in interethnic emotion perception points to a systematic downplaying of the intensity of outgroup emotions and suggests an empathy gap towards members from other ethnic groups.

Judaism, slavery and commemorative ritual in the Netherlands

Abstract Judaism and slavery in the (Early) Modern Dutch history are connected in a paradoxical way. Jewish merchants played a minor, but substantial role in the initial stages of the Dutch transatlantic slavery and are sometimes accused of having contributed disproportionately to its growth. As a matter of fact, it has been claimed that one of the first documented slaves on Dutch territory was a Jewish slave, property of Jewish masters (the slave Elieser). On the other hand, Jews and (descendants of) slaves sometimes find each other in a shared history of being victim of violence, oppression and discrimination. In light of this, the phenomenon of the Keti Koti Dialogue Tables is of particular interest. The Keti Koti Dialogue Tables are an invention of the Surinamese slave-descendant Mercedes Zandwijken and the Dutch Jew Machiel Keestra. The Keti Koti Dialogue Tables are meant to commemorate the Dutch role in the transatlantic slavery by bringing together descendants of slaves and white Dutch people. In the past five years Keti Koti Dialogue Tables have been organized at different places in the Netherlands and up to 5000 persons have participated. The Keti Koti Dialogue Tables are explicitly inspired by the Jewish Seder meal. As in the Seder meals questions are asked (why are we here tonight?), symbolic food is eaten and songs are sung. In this article I will study the Keti Koti Dialogue Tables against the background of the Seder meal through the theoretical lenses of Multidirectional Memory (Rothberg 2009) and Transfer of Ritual (Langer e.a. 2006). With the help of other special-purpose Haggadot (manuals for the Seder meal), for i.e. the LGBTQ community and ‘earth justice’, I will show that the Seder meal forms a particular useful locus for experiencing and sharing feelings of hope for peace, justice, inclusiveness and dialogue.

Facilitating natural succession in a heavily invaded ecosystem

Invasive plants have major impacts on forest ecosystems. Where invasive species alter successional pathways, a site may reach an alternate stable state in which compositional change is unlikely without management intervention. We conducted a restoration experiment designed to alter the successional factors of site availability, species availability, and species performance to disrupt the stable state of invader dominance. In a field dominated by invasive reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.), we compared two plot preparation methods (late-season site mulching plus Oust® application, vs. late-season Rodeo® application) to increase site availability and reduce Phalaris performance, and planted native trees and shrubs as seeds and as bare root seedlings at three densities to improve native species availability. We monitored Phalaris growth, other herbaceous species establishment, tree survival, and deer browsing (another influence on species performance) for two growing seasons. Although the mulching plus Oust treatment was initially more successful in terms of its ability to increase site availability (as measured by litter percent cover and depth), this pattern reversed in the second year of the experiment. Throughout the experiment, the Rodeo treatment was superior in terms of its ability to decrease Phalaris performance (as measured by cover and height), and in the second year it also improved the performance of herbaceous plants naturally establishing in the plots (as measured by cover). Volunteer herbaceous plant cover averaged 60% in Rodeo-treated plots by the end of the second growing season. The performance of planted, seeded, and naturally-occurring woody plants was similar across the two herbicide treatments. Overall survival of bare root seedlings was 41%; survival was greater than 70% for both swamp white oak and Dutch elm disease-resistant American elm. Deer preferentially browsed on silver maple seedlings, while demonstrating avoidance of American elm, cottonwood, sandbar willow and swamp white oak. Our results suggest that to promote succession in Phalaris-dominated sites, decreasing Phalaris performance is more important than immediately removing thatch. In terms of species availability, we conclude that propagule limitation was occurring for woody plants but not for herbaceous species; natural tree recruitment was very low, so our alteration of tree species availability was critical in terms of promoting succession to floodplain forest. The restoration approach of stimulating natural succession can be applied to other ecosystems, providing a link between successional theory and management practice.

Slavery, Sympathy, and White Self-Representation in Dutch Bourgeois Theater of 1800

Unlike the German, French, and particularly Anglo-American cases, the Dutch theatrical imaginings of colonialism, slavery, and race have been largely neglected by scholars of imperial culture. Looking at two early nineteenth-century bourgeois dramas, Stedman (1805) and Kraspoekol (1800), this article examines the complex nexus between slavery, sympathy, and the self-representation of the white middle class in the Netherlands of 1800. As a genre, bourgeois theater cultivated middle-class ideals of compassion, integrity, and benevolence in order to let spectators sympathize with poor, excluded or abused victims. This article explores the constellation of suffering slave characters in relation to the white bourgeois heroes in the plays and to their middle-class audiences. The central argument will be that bourgeois dramaturgy succeeded in conveying antislavery messages, yet primarily delineated and secured a superior white Dutch identity. Consequently, these dramas are considered as segments of the ‘Dutch cultural archive’, defined by Gloria Wekker as a large reservoir of memories, knowledge, and affects that has been crucial to the creation and continuation of white dominance in modern Dutch society.

Zwarte Piet, een blackfacepersonage

Abstract Black Pete, a blackface character: a century of blackface amusement in the Netherlands In 1847 the Ethiopian Serenaders successfully introduced American blackface minstrelsy to a Dutch public. A few years later the publication of the Dutch translation of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin (1853) and the subsequent ‘Tom-play’ led white Dutch actors to perform in blackface. Blackface performances functioned not merely as entertainment, but perpetuated a stereotypical white image of black people. During that same period the ­Amsterdam-based teacher Jan Schenkman published a children’s book including a black servant (St. Nikolaas en zijn knecht, 1850). The servant was known as Black Pete and became established in the Saint Nicolas tradition. In the years to come, Black Pete, generally a white person wearing a blackface mask, leaned heavily on the same elements that made the blackface minstrel dandy type a success: edified clothing, a blackface mask, and anti-­emancipation humour.

The challenges of becoming better sex educators for young people and the resources needed to get there: findings from focus groups with economically disadvantaged ethnic/racial minority parents.

The benefits of positive parent-adolescent relationships and effective communication on sexual risk have been demonstrated among minority parents and teenagers. However, there is need for illuminating how structural inequalities, such as economic disadvantage and being an ethnic/racial minority, shape parents' approaches to adolescent sexuality. Schalet's cultural framework describes White middle-income Dutch parents' 'normalization' (i.e. support for self-regulated sexuality, healthy relationships and normalization of teenage sexuality) versus White middle-income American parents' 'dramatization' (i.e. emphasis on raging hormones, battle between the sexes and pushing sex outside the home) of teenage sexuality, approaches which she argues contribute to differences in sexual health outcomes in the two countries. We adopt Schalet's framework to explore the approaches of 182 economically disadvantaged ethnic/racial minority parents attending 1 of 15 focus groups across New York State. The results revealed parents' dramatization of teenage sexuality, and how fears about their children's health and safety combined with a lack of resources and educational tools heightened this dramatization process. Yet parents identified communication skills and community resources to help them normalize teenage sexuality. The findings have the potential to inform policy makers and practitioners working to develop programs and policies to bolster parents' role as effective sex educators for adolescents.

Postcoloniality Without Race? Racial Exceptionalism and Southeast European Cultural Studies

The black Dutch feminist Gloria Wekker, assembling past and present everyday expressions of racialized imagination which collectively undermine hegemonic beliefs that white Dutch society has no historic responsibility for racism, writes in her book White Innocence that “one can do postcolonial studies very well without ever critically addressing race.” Two and a half decades after the adaptation of postcolonial thought to explain aspects of cultural politics during the break-up of Yugoslavia created important tools for understanding the construction of national, regional, and socioeconomic identities around hierarchical notions of Europe and the Balkans in the Yugoslav region and beyond, Wekker's observation is still largely true for Southeast European studies, where no intervention establishing race and whiteness as categories of analysis has reframed the field like work by Maria Todorova on “balkanism” or Milica Bakić-Hayden on “symbolic geographies” and “nesting orientalism” did in the early 1990s. Critical race theorists such as Charles Mills nevertheless argue that “race” as a structure of thought and feeling that legitimized colonialism and slavery (and still informs structural white supremacy) involved precisely the kind of essentialized link between people and territory that Southeast European cultural theory also critiques: the construction of spatialized hierarchies specifying which peoples and territories could have more or less access to civilization and modernity. Southeast European studies' latent racial exceptionalism has some roots in the race-blind anticolonial solidarities of state socialist internationalism (further intensified for Yugoslavia through the politics of Non-Alignment) but also, this essay suggests, in deeper associations between Europeanness, whiteness, and modernity that remain part of the history of “Europe” as an idea even if, by the end of the twentieth century, they were silenced more often than voiced.

The Dutch Reformed Church Mission in Swaziland - A dream come true

This article covers the time from 1652 onwards when employees of the Dutch East India Company – most of whom were members of the Reformed Church in the Netherlands – arrived at the Cape of Good Hope in present South Africa. With time, a new church, the Dutch Reformed Church, was established in the Cape. In 1836, a number of pioneers moved from the Cape to the east of South Africa and some of them eventually made Swaziland their new home. Although most members of the white Dutch Reformed Church opposed any integration with Christians from other races, there was nevertheless a desire that they should join a Reformed Church. In 1922, the first Dutch Reformed congregation in Swaziland was established in Goedgegun in the southern region of the country, intended for the exclusive use of white, Afrikaans-speaking church members. In 1944, the first Reformed congregation for Swazi members was formed, which later became known as the Swaziland Reformed Church. This article documents the history of this church and concludes with a description of the Swaziland Reformed Church in 1985, with four missionaries from South Africa ministering in the four regions of Swaziland.