Als ik naar jou kijk, zie ik mezelf

Through her eleven-year-old son, Christine Otten discovered the legendary American poetry group from the Black Powers era, The Last Poets with their world-famous 'Niggers are scared of revolution'. An encounter with them would change her life and work forever. Her decision to write a novel about these poets meant an immersion in Afro-American history and culture. She always returned to Harlem, Detroit and New Orleans, where she made new friendships and recorded (hidden) histories. In the past sixteen years Otten wrote a series of beautiful (journalistic) narratives and essays about these travels and encounters, now gathered in 'When I look at you, I see myself'. From her very first visit to Harlem to the discussion about cultural appropriation, Ottens gaze is involved, uninhibited and self-critical. The presidency of Trump and the renewed revival of racism in America (and in the rest of the world) make her stories up to date.