Something in me - probably a small, nationalist dwarf part of my brain - something in me would like to feel proud of Dutch literature. But its hard to when the annual 'book week gift' year in year out is granted to a male. I dont like being part of an unjust system. But let me say this: it is the election method that is the real problem here. The 'vergadering' (meeting) that employs a simple flagging system - the basic way almost everything is decided here, from literary prizes to how much money is divided - it is a system based on the destruction of subtle values. You cannot ever ever say: I didnt understand this book. You can only say 'yes' or 'no'. And that system, that annihilates all forms of subtlety, that system is patriarchal in all its essence. So its useless to simply maintain the method, and try alter the outcome. Martijn Benders
About This Quote

In this quote, the writer points out the flaw in what he calls a 'simple flagging system' being used for making decisions. This means that the way decisions are made, people just have to give a yes or a no. The writer is saying that this system destroys all forms of subtlety and that it is a patriarchal system. He then points out that it is pointless to continue using this system as well as the current flagging system because it will not change any of the outcomes. He concludes by saying that nothing can be done about it because this is how the society works.

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