The Socially Dead: An Analysis of Museums, Identity, and the African Diaspora

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Start Date

7-5-2022 1:00 PM

End Date

7-5-2022 1:50 PM

Description

This research explores how museums as an institution perpetuate the dehumanization of Black people throughout the African diaspora. I examine the ways exhibits are curated, along with who constructs them, and what narratives are put on display. Repatriation is a controversial topic as the public realizes the importance of original ownership; however, many people are more concerned with the allure of museums and private collections. Taking into account the current political state of Black peoples, I highlight the repatriation of African peoples and artifacts through theoretical frameworks such as Afro-pessimism and Critical Race Theory. I use Critical Race Theory to explain the institutionalization of racism in America and its parallels globally and Afro-pessimism to explore the root of the mistreatment of Black people as a whole. I compare types of repatriation (people vs. artifacts and human remains). Further, I analyze museums that chose to tell the story of another culture (The Africa Museum of Tervuren, Belgium) compared to those who collaborated and allowed the culture of focus to control their narrative (Robben Island of the South Africa Museum & The McLeod Plantation in Charleston, South Carolina). My research found that in instances of outside narrative control, the source communities felt that their history was trapped in a stagnant past, while collaborative exhibits showed a complex understanding that fueled discussions and a critical understanding of the issues presented.

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May 7th, 1:00 PM May 7th, 1:50 PM

The Socially Dead: An Analysis of Museums, Identity, and the African Diaspora

This research explores how museums as an institution perpetuate the dehumanization of Black people throughout the African diaspora. I examine the ways exhibits are curated, along with who constructs them, and what narratives are put on display. Repatriation is a controversial topic as the public realizes the importance of original ownership; however, many people are more concerned with the allure of museums and private collections. Taking into account the current political state of Black peoples, I highlight the repatriation of African peoples and artifacts through theoretical frameworks such as Afro-pessimism and Critical Race Theory. I use Critical Race Theory to explain the institutionalization of racism in America and its parallels globally and Afro-pessimism to explore the root of the mistreatment of Black people as a whole. I compare types of repatriation (people vs. artifacts and human remains). Further, I analyze museums that chose to tell the story of another culture (The Africa Museum of Tervuren, Belgium) compared to those who collaborated and allowed the culture of focus to control their narrative (Robben Island of the South Africa Museum & The McLeod Plantation in Charleston, South Carolina). My research found that in instances of outside narrative control, the source communities felt that their history was trapped in a stagnant past, while collaborative exhibits showed a complex understanding that fueled discussions and a critical understanding of the issues presented.