Radio Kif - Reportage "Les Flamands"

Radio Kif is a radio station, established by 11 adolescents from the Marbotin neighbourhood, in the north of Brussels (Schaarbeek). Seven boys and four girls of around 16 had a short traineeship in handling recording equipment, mounting audio fragments, ... They took out to the streets to inquire people (their classmates, random passers-by) about what they believe is a "flamand" and made a radio show out of it, which was broadcast recently.

The message of the show is quite surprising: a flamand is not necessarily someone who is dutch-speaking, but is merely used as an insult for anyone who behaves in a certain way.
Generally, a flamand is considered a geek, someone who is studious, does well at school and tries to please the teacher. He manages his things well (his bus pass is always valid, his homework is made, he brings his 10 o'clock snack to school, he eats at fixed hours). He has a certain recognisable 'style', too: blue eyes and blond hair, baggy pants and designer glasses, he walks in a particular way,.. He is generous but naive, a bit precarious and a bit anxious ("ils sont péteux").

Although we can read many negative characteristis in this description, we also distill a certain admiration for the flamand. He is successful, educated, manages his affairs well. Wealth and success are ahead. Scolding someone for a flamand insinuates a certain jealousy towards that person, the adolecents themselves admit.

The reportage features a number of heated discussions with people (a school teacher, a politician) who take the question "what does 'being a flamand' mean to you?" very seriously.
Some seem to be francophone at first sight, but reveal themseleves to be perfectly bi- or trilingual, having immigrant backgrounds themselves, and blaming the adolescents for posing 'a narrow-minded, categorising question' or for 'doing the exact same thing you despise when people treat you that way'.

However surprising I find this turn, it is not about language – as stated in the beginning of this review. Overall, I was quite amazed when hearing this reportage, which is available on myspace. Listen for yourself here!