This morning I almost choked over breakfast as I heard that Peter Leyman, the president of the Flemish VOKA, was accused of telling the truth about our economy to a Dutch newspaper.
The interviewer did not realize the irony of her infernal and stigmatizing questions she kept firing at his head. Had I not followed this episode from the beginning, and just tuned in after a few minutes or so, I would have sworn she was interviewing a war criminal accused of genocide.
So, exactly what is Peter Leyman being accused of here? Well, he said that he is no longer proud of Flanders that he sees no future for his children here in Flanders.
That’s a hard statement. But it’s true.
He makes this statement based on evidence of multiple surveys and researches. Most of all, he makes this statement as a responsible person who cares for this economy. He makes this statement as someone who knows that the first step in solving a problem is acknowledging it. Unfortunately, instead of being relieved that Leyman puts his ass on the line and dares to put a name to the problem we are facing, the Flemish government demands excuses.
It seems like every day there is another reason to be ashamed of being a Flemming. I will think about this interview in the near future when all of us wonder how on earth the Chinese, Indian and all other economies have taken us ‘by surprise. Welcome to Flanders. Please come and visit our cultural heritage and the treasures of our past. The symbol of Flanders is a lion; it signifies authority, balance and sound judgment. However, the lion has fallen asleep, maybe never to wake up again.
At present we can only offer you xenophobic governments who are in complete denial of what is going on (both, socially and economically).
