Activist in Existence: How Students of Color are Decolonizing Dutch Universities

Adopting a decolonizing methodology, the research explores the experiences of people of color who have attended Dutch academia and participated in social movements. These individuals’ migration backgrounds are intertwined with processes of colonialism and coloniality. The study reveals that from early education on, they experienced racialization, and although knowledge of colonialism was limited, their existence was an inspiration to develop critical and decolonial thinking. In academia, they confronted the coloniality of knowledge through the lack of ethnic diversity in people and the curriculum, as well as the emphasis on objectivity and written knowledge. These experiences activated their decolonial engagement and student organizing.