The country I live in is not in a good place right now. New leadership is fueling hate, separation, and outright cruelty. As I see all this happening, I ask myself, Why can’t we just be more like the Dutch?

I admit the Dutch have never been perfect in what they do as a country or as individuals. But they think outside the box and have recently developed some great ideas. They started a project to create housing where college students and older people live together. The college students live rent-free but must help their elderly roommates. They help by going on errands and doctor appointments with their roommate and doing some cleaning. The elderly roommate helps with cooking and cleaning and takes time to help the student study. The benefit to both age groups has been phenomenal. It’s definitely a win-win situation. The Dutch have also created solar-powered bicycle paths to power homes in the area. Additionally, they plant fruit trees along many bicycle paths so people can stop on their way home from work, sit under the trees to visit, and gather up fruit to take home and share with their families. These are such great ideas!

I’ve spent the past decade taking a deep dive into the history of the Dutch and have been impressed with what I’ve found there, as well. Looking back at the Golden Age of the Dutch in the 1600s, they did many good things in ways that were different from the rest of the world.

First, they were tolerant and welcoming to people from other backgrounds. During the 1600s, there was a lot of violence and anger in Europe. The Spanish Inquisition was in full swing, so many feared for their lives and livelihoods. As people were driven out of their homes by higher taxes targeted at them and violence aimed directly towards them and their families, they didn’t have many choices of where to go. However, one country that welcomed them was the Netherlands. Those coming into their country were expected to work and add to the communities they moved to, while the Dutch welcomed them all and treated each with kindness and tolerance.

The Dutch also thrived on differences between people. Most countries during that time didn’t want religious refugees on their land because the government was chasing them and because they were different. Instead of seeing this as a problem, the Dutch saw it as a strength for their society. So, people who spoke other languages worshiped differently or looked different. The Dutch realized that these differences made their society stronger. The variety of people moving in was seen as beneficial instead of people to be feared.

The Dutch also respected the woman of their communities. These women were encouraged to attend school and learn so they could contribute when they were older. Dutch women were also allowed to go to court, own land, make important decisions, and run businesses.

The different way the Dutch did things is evident in my book, “Catalyntje Trico: A Life in New Amsterdam.” Catalynjte faced many challenges as she and Joris made a life in the New World. They traded with the native tribes, worked with their neighbors, and constantly welcomed people from various backgrounds. Like many of us today, she also faced a leader who was divisive, self-centered, and hateful. During this time, Catalynje worked to build a community to help those suffering from the poor choices of their narcissistic leader. She did much good but suffered great personal tragedy during this time. Her generosity and strength during difficult times are genuinely inspiring.

So again, I ask, Why can’t we be more like the Dutch? I don’t think there is anything we can do about our egocentric leadership at this point. However, I do think that we, as people and communities, can think outside the box to help solve problems and keep each other safe. Then, we can be like the Dutch and be more tolerant and accepting of those around us.