Jane Vogel Mantiri (71) holds United States citizenship and has Indonesian-Dutch heritage from both her parents. Born in Jakarta, Jane navigated numerous challenges during the transitional period following the Indonesian Independence Revolution.
During this time, individuals belonging to non-Indonesian ethnic groups or perceived as not having pure Indonesian lineage encountered discrimination. The surge in anti-Dutch sentiments led to the expulsion of individuals with Dutch citizenship or equivalent status who chose not to adopt Indonesian citizenship, including Jane’s father, Robert Cornelis.
Reflecting on her journey, Jane reveals that relocating to the Netherlands did not ensure a warm reception. Her father was considered not a native Dutch descendant, having been born in Nganjuk, while her mother, born in Bandung, had Manado ancestry, leading to Jane facing differential treatment compared to other Dutch children.
“The constrained environment prompted my father’s decision to relocate to the United States,” shared Jane, recounting her experiences during a historical discourse organized by the Department of History, Faculty of Cultural Sciences at UGM.
Upon settling in the United States, Jane encountered ongoing discrimination, being deemed “too brown” to be recognized as an American citizen. Furthermore, her Indo-Dutch family encountered delays in obtaining citizenship status from the United States Government.
Beyond the challenges of citizenship, Jane and her family grappled with the traumatic legacies of their family’s history during the Indonesian Revolution. Nearly all members of her family were held as prisoners of war during the Japanese Occupation.
“In November 1945, my aunt fell victim to a tragic incident while traveling to Surabaya, murdered by a small group of guerrillas who had lost control,” she revealed.
Indo-Dutch researcher Tedy Harnawan highlighted a distinct “Indis culture” emerging from marriages between Dutch individuals and local residents.
“During the colonial era, they occupied a unique position within colonial society. They were considered Dutch but had indigenous ancestry. They were classified as Dutch but held equivalent status. Jane and her family are part of the Indis Community,” explained Harnawan.
Dr. Wildan Sena Utama, a lecturer at the Department of History, Faculty of Cultural Sciences at UGM, emphasized that Jane’s family’s experiences shed light on the discrimination faced by Indo-Dutch citizens in the aftermath of the independence revolution.
“We must examine the revolution from multiple perspectives, not solely through the lens of Indonesian history but also from alternative viewpoints. This offers invaluable insights for current and future generations,” remarked Dr. Utama.
Author: Gusti Grehenson