My occupation (to be) is in the heating industry. I was trained to install and fix heating systems, with emphasis on the heating machines that perform the combustion. I learnt all that was possible at my level about diesel and gas combustion heaters, and how to install them or fix them when there is a problem. This occupation is protected by the Belgian government and you need to be government certified to perform tasks in this field. By passing my exams, both theory and practical, I became government certified and I have all the relevant diplomas PLUS a 'Safety' certificate to boot.
Off I went job hunting, and with a lot of confidence in me I started shooting from the top. I sent off application letters to the big shot companies in the industry, companies like Vaillant, Buderus, Viessmann, ACV, Bosch, Weishaupt, etc, but to mention a few. I got some polite response from a few saying they had no vacancy at the moment and an invitation for a job interview by one. I was excited.
I travelled to Brussels for my interview on Friday the 25th of September 2009, and was well received. I was given a couple of technical questions (an exam) and had to be through in 30 minutes. This exam comprised of chemistry, physics, and electricity. I passed the exam with flying colours, and was, in the words of my examiner/interviewer “a very exceptional person because I got all the answers right, including one tricky technical question which only about 5 people ever interviewed in the last 3 years got right!”
I beamed with delight and modestly replied that I had a very good teacher. The interview went on and I hinted that I was prepared to relocate to another region in Belgium because of work. Asked where I had in mind I said Antwerpen, Hasselt, Maamechelen, Lanaken… This was interesting news and I was told that the company needed someone in Maasmechelen, and if I could relocate there it would be nice. I said I would. Everyone was happy. “Cat in the bag” I thought to myself with pleasure in my heart. I passed the exam in flying colours and I pulled one ‘Plus’ out of the bag; my willingness to move house for the company, yes!
I was told I’d be called on Monday the next week to be formally informed of the company’s decision about employing me. We shook hands and I left. 3 days later, on Monday, I waited for the ring but there was none. I checked my e-mails, nothing. By Friday there was still no phone call, no email, no news, nothing.
I gave it a week and wrote a polite email re-introducing myself and reminding the company that I was promised a call a week ago, perhaps they’d forgotten? “Please let me know the outcome of your decision and where I stand, yours sincerely, etc, etc…” I still haven’t heard a word from this company up till today. Now just how difficult is it to say “no” to me? “We are sorry, but after much contemplation and assessment of your stellar qualities we have decided not to employ you because…” That in my opinion would have been better than just leaving me in limbo and totally ignoring me after what I supposed to be a very good interview. I have my opinion about the reason behind this treatment and I’ll come to it in a while…
Not deterred, I kept sending out application letters for work, and this time I set my sights somewhat ‘lower’ and applied with small private companies. This time I sought something closer to home and got an interview with a company 10 minutes away from my residence. I announced myself at the reception and was received by two gentlemen who commenced the interview. They had all my documents in front of them but kept saying in wonderment “you have this? And this? And this? Nice…” for almost the entirety of the so-called interview. In the end I was told (unenthusiastically) that I had a very interesting application but there were other people who had to be intervieweed and that they’d give me a call to let me know. There and then I knew it was a no :(
OMG! I CAN'T GET A JOB BECAUSE I'M BLACK!
Now I know that 'line' sounds familiar, and you’re probably nodding your big head saying, yeah yeah, but the ugly truth is that I can’t get a job (yet) in my chosen field because of the colour of my skin and that is just ridiculous in this day and age. This takes me back 3 years ago when I first arrived in Belgium. I went for a course where immigrants are helped with choosing the ‘right’ occupation for them in Belgium. At the end of the course all us black guys were advised to settle for masonry because "that was the only thing we could really do here in Belgium without any problems."
I remember asking our coordinator why I couldn’t have a career in plumbing or heating, etc, because I really was interested in heating and she told me, with some embarrassment, that most Belgians (especially the elderly) would not like to let a black person into their homes, and she even gave us a true life story about a female senior citizen who refused a black plumber access to her home. Now that’s just sad. Belgium claims to be an open country when in fact it isn’t. It just seems 'open' because of Brussels, Antwerpen and some interracial dating here and there.
For 3 years I lived in the Netherlands before moving to Belgium and the contrast between both countries, even though they share the same border and the Dutch language, is stark. The Netherlands is unarguably the most open country in all of Europe, and compared to to it Belgium is a ‘closed nation.’ Can you imagine that I was once denied entry into an R&B club in Hasselt, Belgium? I don't drink, I don't smoke, and I was very reasonably dressed. Also, please forgive me this, I am BLACK!!! Talk about stereotypes...
What am I still doing here if it’s so bad you ask? Well, I have no choice at the moment. I’m here for economic reasons, and as any Dutch person will admit, living in Belgium is much cheaper than living in the Netherlands. Maybe it's time to go back? Better an expensive life of peace than a cheap one of pain, right? This brings me to the reason for the title of my blog... Today I was called by a job bank and they said “we sent your CV to a company and tried to introduce you to them but they want to know something...
WHAT IS YOUR NATIONALITY?”
This was the last straw that broke the fabled camel’s back. I was so upset, and at the same time I was attacked by a bout racial complex and I said to the lady on the line “I’m a Dutch, BUT I’m black!” Now who the hell says “…BUT I’m black”? Do you see the point I am trying to make here? Being deeply psychologically traumatised, I begin to think and assume that I am not good enough for them. I mentioned at the beginning of this blog that I have my government certified diplomas. These documents are issued out by the Flemish ministry of environment, nature and energy, and only after one successfully completes a course/training in one of the government certified centres or institutions of training. The only way one can get into any of these centres is by having a valid Belgian permanent resident permit or by being a Belgian.
The course/training is highly specialised and taught only in the Dutch language. Physics, Chemistry, Advanced mathematics, and Electricity and Hydraulics form the entirety of the course, and these are taught in Dutch. This goes to follow that if one has these diplomas one has an admirable command and or understanding of the Dutch language. Circa, I have a good command/understanding of the language, and the technical know-how to competently do my job. Why then the VERY discriminatory question of "WHAT IS YOUR NATIONALITY?" and how is this relevant to my ability to do my job competently? Do you get my point? I can't get a job as a technician in my chosen proffession because it entails regular contact with (Belgian) clients, and since I'm black this is a no no. There’s always a job as a factory worker for a black guy in Belgium though…
*Addendum*
I'd like to add that not all Belgians are (entirely) prejudiced. I have Belgian friends and they are quite friendly and open to an extent. I say to an extent because even though they are cheerful friendly folks, there's still a strong flavour of conservationism in them.
The problem lies with the society at large: It is chronically myopic, and the attitude of most Belgians towards prejudice is...
"I hear about it but I've never SEEN it..."
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