Anton de Kom
A Life of Resistance
He was a Surinamese author, an anti-colonial activist, and a Dutch resistance hero. From the shores of his homeland to the streets of The Hague, Anton de Kom waged a lifelong war against injustice with his most powerful weapon: the truth. His story, once silenced, now defines the conscience of a nation.
Roots in Suriname
The Foundation of Resistance
Born into a society still bearing the deep scars of slavery, Anton de Kom grew up hearing the oral histories of his enslaved ancestors. This foundation ignited a lifelong quest for the dignity and recognition of his people.
A New Chapter in Holland
Love, Work, and Awakening
At age 23, De Kom moves to the Netherlands, where he works as an accountant, falls in love with Petronella Borsboom, and starts a family. Here, he confronts the subtle racism of European society and becomes involved with anti-colonial movements.
Return of a Son
The Hero's Return
After eleven years in the Netherlands, De Kom returns to Suriname with his Dutch wife and children. The people welcome him as a hero, but colonial authorities immediately view him as a dangerous agitator and place him under constant surveillance.
The People's Counselor
Black Tuesday
He opens a consulting office to help Surinamese workers, who flock to him by the thousands. Fearing his influence, colonial authorities arrest him without charge. The mass protest demanding his release is met with gunfire, an event known as 'Black Tuesday'.
The Book That Sparked a Fire
Revolutionary Literature
While in exile, he completes and publishes his masterwork, "We Slaves of Suriname". This groundbreaking book is the first history of Suriname written from an Afro-Surinamese perspective, exposing the brutal realities of slavery and colonialism.
Exile and Reflection
Forced into Exile
Banned from returning to Suriname, De Kom is forced into permanent exile in the Netherlands. During these years, he writes his masterwork and becomes increasingly involved in anti-fascist activities as the threat of Nazism grows across Europe.
The Pen Against Fascism
Writer Against Oppression
When the Nazis invade and occupy the Netherlands, De Kom immediately recognizes the face of his old enemy—oppression. He joins the communist-leaning journal "De Vonk" (The Spark), writing articles against the fascist occupation.
A Fighter in the Shadows
Underground Resistance
His resistance work becomes more direct and dangerous. He joins the Dutch Resistance, forging documents for Jews in hiding and writing for the underground press. His home becomes a hub of clandestine activity.
The Last Silence
Final Imprisonment
Betrayed and arrested by the Gestapo, De Kom is imprisoned at the Oranjehotel in Scheveningen before being deported. He passes through two concentration camps, Vught and eventually Neuengamme, where he is forced into hard labor.
Legacy and Vindication
Eternal Recognition
Anton de Kom dies of tuberculosis in a satellite camp of Neuengamme just weeks before its liberation. Decades later, his work is rediscovered. He is posthumously awarded the Dutch Cross of Resistance, and in 2020, his book becomes a central text during the Dutch Prime Minister's apology for slavery.
References
"Anton de Kom"
"Tentoonstelling Anton de Kom en de Surinaamse Studenten Unie"
"Anton de Kom and the Formative Phase of Surinamese Decolonization"
Created for the Hackstory Hackathon - Honoring overlooked heroes through digital storytelling
Designed in The Hague 🇳🇱 by Davey Mason 🇮🇪