| just completed reading Wives, Slaves and Concubines: A History of the Female Underclass in Dutch Asia by Dr. Eric Jones who was gracious enough to email me a copy of his enlightening book. Dr. Jones and I met through the AP Readings over the years and this year I was fortunate enough to sit next to him at our work stations. Eric teaches at Northern Illinois University specializing in Southeast Asian Studies.
This book greatly enhanced my understanding of the VOC's (Dutch East India Company) trade network in Indonesia and the personal costs of a demographic that is often underreported in history books. Using primary source legal cases, Jones shows the heart wrenching experiences of many women in 16th-18th century Indonesia as they were brought to court for running away from horrendous situations or committing other various
"crimes."
I was not aware of how the VOC, which had almost full governmental and judicial authority over much of Southeast Asia, determined social standing. Often standing was based on VOC employment rather than race or ethnicity due to the difficulties of creating long standing Dutch communities without large numbers of Europeans in the region. Pragmatism often led to somewhat illusory enlightened policies. But most women still fell victim to patriarchal oppression. I learned a lot from this work. Academic yet with a compelling narrative. I hope to discuss some of this work with Dr. Jones if we both make it back to Louisville this next summer.
