Full analytic report of the problem of Aalst Carnival 2019, the role of some players, an abstract of two pages and in front the suggestion for a decision: in the abstract, the conclusions from the detailed sections, using paragraph...
moreFull analytic report of the problem of Aalst Carnival 2019, the role of some players, an abstract of two pages and in front the suggestion for a decision: in the abstract, the conclusions from the detailed sections, using paragraph numbering making it easy and quick to check the sources.
Annex is here
https://www.academia.edu/41121892/Appendix_to_the_Study_analysis_and_proposal_to_UNESCO_on_Aalst_Carnival
Due to the wrong handling of the whole issue by the antiracist organisation of Belgium, UNIA, which defended, for personal reasons the Nazi-type stereotypes by the float. Due to the refusal of the burgermeister to engage in dialogue and the fact that those responsible for the Carnival float were fully aware of what they were doing, a no-delisting from the UNESCO list is no option at all.
A definite delisting, however will punish the whole Carnival and the whole city. They do not understand the wrongdoing because they are used to similar stereotypes used in Belgium by the media and intellectuals. They should be informed correctly of what was not addressed, probably wilfully, by UNIA and the burgermeister.
My suggestion is to apply a suspensive verdict whereby, condemning UNIA and the burgermeister, the Aalst Carnival stays on the list temporarily but can’t claim anymore the UNESCO name. They could be put normally on the list again by the beginning of 2023, if certain conditions are fulfilled such as those proposed hereafter in (3.10.) E.g. the end by self-regulation of racist oriented mockery of Jews (in a town without Jews) and other ethnical groups. Aalst should organise events, exhibitions, cultural activities and entertainments related to the rich Jewish culture with the purpose of fostering a better understanding of “the Jews”. Any other decision: no-withdrawal as well as full withdrawal can only provide today bad and dangerous results for both parties involved.