Discussion of decolonisation in museums too often starts and ends with repatriation. Journalists zoom in on the flashpoints of debate: the Benin bronzes and Parthenon Marbles. Their articles – with the binary choice of “keep it” vs “give it back” – create the impression that decolonising is a zero-sum game in which there are only winners and losers.
The reality is different. While decolonising practice can involve repatriation, its goal is far greater: to create a cultural reckoning with our colonial past here in the UK. It is about creating space for new narratives, acknowledging the impact of colonialism and empowering communities still touched by its legacy today.
Decolonising practice takes many forms – and has generally been led by activists and researchers from communities, universities and museums. But it can’t be a niche pursuit. Almost every museum has collections with links to empire: world cultures collections, certainly, but many social and natural history collections must also tell these stories.
Museums can be at the heart of Britain’s reckoning with its colonial past – and as a sector, we need to rise to the challenge. The Museums Association is working with its Ethics Committee and experts to produce guidance on this topic.