Letters: Indo’s fate after the war

I refer to an article titled “Dutch Indonesians’ search for home,” (The Jakarta Post, Jan 10). Thank you so much for this article! It is my story and that of my parents. They were born in Indonesia, endured the hardship of being in “camps” twice, once by the Japanese and then the Indonesians, before being exiled to Holland. I was born in Amsterdam in 1955.

I had only attended a preschool in Holland before being sponsored by a Catholic parish and moving to the United States in 1960. My father worked two and three jobs before landing a job in electronics. The credentials he had earned at a well-established trade school in Holland were not recognized as the equivalent of a degree in the States. My parents went to school to learn the English language and applied for US citizenship immediately.

Later in life, when I asked why, my father said that he wanted to feel a sense of belonging somewhere. He explained to me that while Indonesia was “home”, the Dutch Indonesians were not wanted there after the war, nor were they wanted in Holland.

I grew up speaking Dutch while my sister and brother, born here in the States, understand Dutch but answer in English. I went on to marry an American man, who thankfully embraced my Indo culture.

But, there again, our kids grew up only knowing a few Dutch words and phrases picked up while at Opa and Oma’s.  

Over the past 10 years or so, I have become very interested in learning as much as I can about my Dutch Indonesian heritage because I see the potential for our culture to be lost with this third generation. Sadly, I think some of papa’s heart condition was a result of still feeling out of place here in America and longing for his homeland.

I am so thrilled to have received this article and look forward to sharing it with my children. They too, get those funny looks when they say their mama is Dutch Indonesian and their dad is American. I will be eagerly awaiting the completion of the movie.

Nanda Price-Dutrieux
Las Vegas, Nevada