The Pioneers of (the New) Anti-Racism in Belgium.

Several observers have noted a ‘new’ trend in anti-racism struggles in Europe and Belgium. In this chapter, we argue that when discussing a potential new ‘wave’ of anti-racism, it is essential to highlight the struggles of the racialized pioneers who laid the groundwork. Just as waves in water gracefully succeed one another, blending seamlessly, the contributions of earlier activists merge into the current movement. The so-called new features of anti-racism include a shift in focus from combating the radical right to addressing structural racism, a change in leadership from predominantly white individuals to racialized leaders, and the development of decolonial perspectives. We demonstrate that these all rooted in the silenced struggles of the early pioneers, and explain how and why their fights for justice were pushed to the margins. This chapter honours the memories of the African diaspora’s anti-racist efforts in Belgium, including those of the Maghrebi and Black diasporas, from the colonial era to the turn of the new millennium. These pioneers often did not label themselves as anti-racist activists, yet their work—whether through mutual aid and group solidarity, protests, or advocacy towards public institutions—laid the foundation for today’s movements.