CULTURAL DISCOURSES IN THE NETHERLANDS - TALKING ABOUT ETHNIC-MINORITIES IN THE INNER-CITY

This paper examines how ethnic Dutch residents of two old neighborhood s in the city of Rotterdam use the notion of ''culture'' when they tal k and argue among themselves about the multi-ethnic area they live in. Some of the ways in which culture as a discourse is used are outlined and some of the possible effects such a discourse may have are discus sed. It is shown that the term culture is used in a self-evident and s elf-sufficient way as a commonplace. In addition, most of the inhabita nts use a reified and essentialistic notion of culture for constructin g ''us'' and ''them'' distinctions. Cultural differences are evaluated in favor df one's own group and used for arguing for the incompatibil ity of cultural groups. Three conceptualizations of culture can be dis tinguished. All three have the effect of ''blaming the victim,'' but e ach attributes a different degree of blame to immigrant groups: cultur e as heritage, culture as doctrine, and culture as mentality. The noti on of culture is used flexibly and in a self-serving way to explain di fferent phenomena. However, cultural change and personal determination are recognized. Also the presence of immigrant groups is accepted and the need to find some sort of modus vivendi is acknowledged.