Why do people still sing ‘Hanki Panki Shanghai’?

COVID-19 made racism more visible than ever

The Covid-19 pandemic made the issue of exclusion more apparent than ever. When Donald Trump referred to Covid-19 as “the China Virus,” this rhetoric fueled racist sentiments worldwide, including in the Netherlands. A notable instance was a carnival song titled "Voorkomen is beter dan Chinezen," created by radio presenter Lex Gaarthuis. Fifty-seven Dutch Chinese organisations condemned the song for being discriminatory and hateful due to its derogatory lyrics about Chinese individuals. Despite the outcry, these organisations reported the song to the authorities, but prosecutors ultimately chose not to pursue any charges. And so, the pandemic became a time when many individuals took to avoiding Dutch Chinese people in public, even if they had been born and raised in the Netherlands. Some would cover their noses and mouths while walking past, while others resorted to shouting racist remarks. This behaviour highlights the troubling impact of prejudice during such a challenging time.

Interviews with 28 Dutch Chinese people

Drawing from these experiences, Peelen chose to concentrate her research on the Dutch Chinese community. She conducted interviews with 28 individuals from this group, posing a straightforward question: “Do you feel represented in politics?” The responses were largely negative. Many expressed dissatisfaction, with some stating, “I don’t vote because I don’t feel represented.” Others shared sentiments like, “It seems that no one in politics cares about us.”. 

‘Hanki Panki Shanghai’ and other racist stereotypes

COVID-19 highlighted racism against Dutch Chinese people, but many people experience racism long before and after the pandemic. “One of the clearest examples is when primary school children sing ‘Hanki Panki Shanghai’ during birthday celebrations,” says Peelen. Many parents have explained that the song is racist and hurts their children. However, schools still use it. According to Peelen, this situation shows how difficult it can be for Dutch Chinese people to make others take their concerns seriously. She also points to so-called positive stereotypes. For example, many people assume that all Chinese people are good at maths or work extremely hard. Peelen explains that these stereotypes can also cause problems. They create a false image of Chinese people and make it harder for society to understand their real experiences. Both negative and positive stereotypes can make people feel unseen and misunderstood.

Cartoons by Asian Raisins

To raise awareness, Peelen has asked illustrator Maaike Hartjes to create a series of cartoons. Hartjes works with Asian Raisins, an organisation that fights racism against East and Southeast Asian people in the Netherlands. “The ideas for these cartoons come directly from my research,” says Peelen. She hopes people will recognise the everyday experiences of Dutch people with a Chinese background through these images.

Listening to Every Group

Peelen believes that everyone should feel represented in a democracy.
“Everyone in the Netherlands has the right to vote,” she says. “The better we understand how different groups experience political representation, the better we can listen to them.” She argues that better understanding leads to greater political inclusion. She also believes that recognising Dutch Chinese people as a minority whose voice matters will strengthen social cohesion in Dutch society.