Forlad os vor skyld 2018: Et dybtgående portræt af Danmarks mest kontroversielle TV-serie.

Forlad Os Vor Skyld 2018: En Kritisk Analyse

Forlad os vor skyld (“Forgive us our debts”) is a popular radio and podcast series produced by Danish Broadcasting Corporation (DR) that explores Denmark’s role in the transatlantic slave trade. Launched in March 2018, the series aims to shed light on Denmark’s dark history of slavery, racism and colonialism, and engage Danish society in a critical dialogue about the legacy of this past. In this article, we will discuss the context and content of Forlad os vor skyld 2018, as well as its impact and challenges.

Context

Denmark’s involvement in the transatlantic slave trade is a complex and controversial issue that has been largely ignored in mainstream Danish history and education. Although Denmark was one of the smallest colonial powers in the Americas, it played a significant role in the buying and selling of enslaved Africans in the Caribbean and West Africa from the 17th to the 19th century. The Danish West Indies (now the US Virgin Islands) was the most profitable Danish colony, where thousands of enslaved Africans were brought to work on sugar plantations. Denmark abolished the slave trade in 1803 and slavery in 1848, a relatively early time compared to other colonial powers. However, this does not absolve Denmark from its responsibility in perpetrating and profiting from a system that dehumanized and exploited millions of people of African descent.

For decades, the history of Danish colonialism and slavery was overshadowed by the idea of Denmark as a small, peaceful and democratic nation with a welfare state. It was not until the early 21st century, when Denmark faced increasing racial and cultural diversity, that the legacy of colonialism and slavery became a subject of debate and criticism. Progressive scholars, activists and artists began to challenge the dominant narrative of Danish exceptionalism and expose the long-standing racism and inequality that persisted within Danish society. The Black Lives Matter movement that gained momentum in the US and Europe after the killing of George Floyd in 2020 further ignited the demand for acknowledgement, reparations and decolonization of historical oppression.

It is in this context that Forlad os vor skyld 2018 emerged as a groundbreaking and timely initiative to uncover the hidden and painful history of Denmark’s involvement in the transatlantic slave trade and to confront the ongoing effects of racism and discrimination.

Content

Forlad os vor skyld 2018 consists of five hour-long radio programs and seven shorter podcast episodes, all available online for free. The series was created and hosted by journalist and historian Jesper Hyhne, who conducted extensive research and interviews with scholars, activists, artists and descendants of enslaved Africans in Denmark and the Caribbean. The series presents a comprehensive and critical account of Denmark’s colonial and slave history, focusing on the experiences and perspectives of the enslaved themselves rather than solely on the Danish slave owners and traders.

The first episode, “Slaves as Goods”, introduces the listener to the brutal reality of the transatlantic slave trade and how it affected Africans on the West Coast. The episode features interviews with historians such as Morten Thing, who describes how the slave trade dominated Danish commerce and how the Danish trading posts were notorious for their inhumane treatment of slaves. The second episode, “Slavery in the Danish West Indies”, delves into the history of the Danish West Indies and how the enslaved Africans were forced to work on sugar plantations under horrific conditions. The episode examines the resistance and uprisings of the enslaved, as well as the role of the Danish government and the Lutheran Church in maintaining the system.

The third episode, “The Danish Connection”, explores how Denmark was involved in the global trade of enslaved Africans and the political and economic interests behind it. The episode challenges the common assumption that Denmark was a benevolent and humanitarian colonial power, and reveals the active participation of Danish merchants, politicians and royalty in the slave trade. The fourth episode, “The Forgotten Voyage”, tells the story of the Danish ship Frederikke, which transported enslaved Africans from West Africa to the Danish West Indies in 1844, and the journey of the descendants of the enslaved who returned to West Africa to reconnect with their roots. The episode highlights the ongoing trauma and social division caused by the transatlantic slave trade, as well as the possibilities of healing and restitution.

The final episode, “The Afterlife of Slavery”, connects the past with the present and examines how the legacies of slavery and colonialism continue to impact Danish and Afro-Danish society today. The episode features interviews with artist Jeannette Ehlers, who created the public artwork I Am Queen Mary in Copenhagen to honor the legacy of Mary Thomas, a leader of the 1878 labor revolt in the Danish West Indies. The episode also discusses the institutional racism and exclusion faced by people of African descent in Denmark, and the demands for reparations and decolonization by activists and organizations such as the Black Lives Matter Denmark movement.

The podcasts provide additional insights and perspectives on the topics covered in the radio programs, including interviews with academics, artists and activists, and reflections on personal experiences of racism and identity. They also include soundscapes, poetry and music that enhance the emotional impact and artistic value of the series.

Impact

Forlad os vor skyld 2018 has generated significant public and media attention in Denmark and abroad, and has been praised for its thoroughness, sensitivity and relevance. The series has been listened to over 800,000 times online, and has been broadcast in several countries, including Sweden, Norway and the US. It has won several awards, such as the Grand Journalism Award and the OBU Award for Best Podcast, and has been nominated for the Prix Europa and the Peabody Award.

The series has also sparked a national debate on Denmark’s colonial past and present, and has inspired other initiatives to address racism and inequality in Danish society. It has created a platform for Afro-Danes, descendants of enslaved Africans and other marginalized groups to share their stories, perspectives and demands, and has challenged the dominant narrative of Danish history and identity. It has also provoked some controversy and resistance from conservative and nationalist groups, who reject the notion of collective guilt, reparations and decolonization.

Challenges

Despite its many achievements, Forlad os vor skyld 2018 faces several challenges and criticisms. One of the main criticisms is that the series focuses too much on the negative aspects of Denmark’s history and fails to acknowledge the positive contributions and values of Danish society. Some argue that the series fuels a sense of collective guilt and victimhood among Danes, and does not provide a constructive or nuanced approach to addressing racism and discrimination. Others question the accuracy and balance of the series, and point out the absence of alternative voices and perspectives.

Another challenge is the limited impact and reach of the series beyond its target audience. Although Forlad os vor skyld 2018 has attracted a large and diverse audience, it may not have reached those who are most in need of a critical and empathetic reflection on Denmark’s colonial past and racism. Many Danes, especially those who live in rural, homogeneous and conservative areas, may not be aware of the series or may not feel compelled to listen to it. Moreover, there is a risk that the series reinforces the existing divisions and stereotypes between ethnic and racial groups, rather than promoting dialogue, reconciliation and solidarity.

Conclusion

Forlad os vor skyld 2018 is a remarkable and provocative contribution to the ongoing struggle for historical justice and social equality in Denmark and beyond. The series challenges the complacency and ignorance that have characterized Danish society’s relationship to its colonial past, and exposes the human toll and systemic injustice of slavery and racism. It also highlights the creative and resilient ways in which enslaved Africans and their descendants have resisted and transcended oppression, and how their legacies can inspire us to build a more just and inclusive society.

However, Forlad os vor skyld 2018 is not a definitive or exhaustive history of Denmark’s colonialism and slavery, nor is it a solution or a closure to the complex issues it raises. It is a starting point and a catalyst for further research, dialogue, education and action. It invites us to listen to multiple voices and perspectives, to critically examine our own complicity and privilege, and to work towards a more equitable and empowering future for all.

FAQs:

Q: What is Forlad os vor skyld 2018?
A: Forlad os vor skyld 2018 is a radio and podcast series produced by Danish Broadcasting Corporation (DR) that explores Denmark’s role in the transatlantic slave trade.

Q: What is the purpose of Forlad os vor skyld 2018?
A: The series aims to shed light on Denmark’s dark history of slavery, racism and colonialism, and engage Danish society in a critical dialogue about the legacy of this past.

Q: Who created and hosted Forlad os vor skyld 2018?
A: The series was created and hosted by journalist and historian Jesper Hyhne.

Q: What is the content of Forlad os vor skyld 2018?
A: Forlad os vor skyld 2018 consists of five hour-long radio programs and seven shorter podcast episodes, all available online for free. The series presents a comprehensive and critical account of Denmark’s colonial and slave history, focusing on the experiences and perspectives of the enslaved themselves rather than solely on the Danish slave owners and traders.

Q: What is the impact of Forlad os vor skyld 2018?
A: Forlad os vor skyld 2018 has generated significant public and media attention in Denmark and abroad, and has been praised for its thoroughness, sensitivity and relevance. The series has also sparked a national debate on Denmark’s colonial past and present, and has inspired other initiatives to address racism and inequality in Danish society.

Q: What are the challenges of Forlad os vor skyld 2018?
A: One of the main criticisms is that the series focuses too much on the negative aspects of Denmark’s history and fails to acknowledge the positive contributions and values of Danish society. Another challenge is the limited impact and reach of the series beyond its target audience.

Q: Is Forlad os vor skyld 2018 a definitive history of Denmark’s colonialism and slavery?
A: No, Forlad os vor skyld 2018 is not a definitive or exhaustive history of Denmark’s colonialism and slavery, nor is it a solution or a closure to the complex issues it raises. It is a starting point and a catalyst for further research, dialogue, education and action.