Therefore Willem has to really fend for himself in this world.  He also cannot expect much support from his lesbian sister and his drug-addicted mother.  On top of that the situation seems to become really desperate when Willem falls in love with Meryem, a Mulsim girl in his class. But then Willem discovers Meryem’s big secret and everything changes…

A special book

There is no book in The Netherlands which so sharply portrays these themes for children.  The (book)diary  Mijn Kant – Iedereen heeft een geheim (My Story – Everybody has a secret), which is a debut written as a result of the film ‘Submission’ by the murdered Theo van Gogh, is especially for children. With the book in mind, children can discuss at home and in the classroom themes like integration, identity and (homo)sexuality. these topics are wrapped up in a story which is both funny and absurd on the one hand and deadly serious and moving on the other.

Realization

From about 1995 I had the story in my head, but I didn’t do anything with it then. The story took shape in my head together with my school experiences: black schools in Rotterdam, a school for children with learning difficulties in Groningen, special educational needs school and orthopaedic Centre Maasstad. In addition also my own childhood experiences and my experience in politics.

I decided to really put pen to paper after the film ‘Submission’ came out of the murdered Theo van Gogh. Content wise I do not give an opinion about this film, but I find striking the fact that van Gogh has produced such a film, a kind of work of art. Of course one must never be murdered, and that includes when your profess your opinion like Van Gogh did.

The film aimed at adults. And this is precisely the point. I think too often we talk over and above children. Also, we decide for them. It would be good to listen to children and for instance ask them what they think integration means; whether it bothers children that the teacher wears a head scarf or walks around in a burka.  Children can cope with more that adults often think.  I feel one can talk and have really good discussions with children about integration and (homo)sexuality.  This is possible also in a very direct manner.  In this way I deal with the themes of integration and (homo)sexuality in my book: directly and on the edge.

I think it is necessary to involve children in such a discussion. They are the ones who will be able to vote in six years time and they will govern our country in twenty years time.  The mixing in politics in The Hague is in full swing, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if in less than a hundred years half of all politicians would have a dark skin colour.

In addition, I feel integration has to come from both sides. Whenever people talk about integration they immediately think of the immigrants. All books on integration are about the adapting of immigrants. My book reveals two sides of integrating.  It has been consciously written from a Dutch perspective.  To make people think whether Dutch people themselves have to adapt to a new and changed Holland. When we learn to understand each other and I’m talking about culture, habits and also language, then we can learn to better trust each other and integration will improve.  My book not only deals with the Dutch, but also with the immigrants. I call this “consistent-integration” (This term is not in the book) Of course you can’t impose a lot on the Dutch, but you can make something a subject of discussion.

Sexuality is underexposed in the Dutch educational system. There are programmes like “Lentekriebels”(Spring awakenings), but this topic is really a weak point. This year for the first time Dutch government commended on this. Sexuality is a big theme in my book. Of course this is a sensitive issue when you deal with Muslim children.

As I said before, I write on the edge. But because there is a good dose of humour, these themes become a subject for discussion in the classroom. The well-known children’s writer Chris Vegter spoke at the book launch on 21 April 2007. He gave his (positive) criticism on the book.  Chris says that many writers consider it dangerous to write about these topics. Chris: “What God doesn’t read, Van der Sluis writes.”

During the launch I also had a discussion group with children in year 6 of a primary school in Assen. Some remarkable points of view emerged.  A Turkish boy maintained that the Dutch should close its borders for foreigners. Teacher  Tim Vasse read parts of the book to the class. He told me the children found it very “fierce”, but enormously humorous and that a lot of discussion ensued. And that’s exactly what I want to achieve with my book. That children are going to reflect on it.

Whether certain characters have been taken from a role model? Yes, some have… it’s a mixture. Sometimes myself, sometimes children who’ve been in my classes. Or someone I have lived with. It is fiction but also partly autobiographical

"What God does not read, van der Sluis writes "

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