Colonial practice perpetuators

Definition

Colonial practice perpetuators are individuals, institutions, or systems that continue to support and maintain colonial attitudes, policies, and structures that originated during the colonial era. These perpetuators can be found in various sectors such as museums, academia, and government, often upholding narratives that marginalize indigenous perspectives and rights. Their actions can significantly impact the ongoing struggles for repatriation and cultural property rights by reinforcing the dominance of colonial histories over the narratives of colonized communities.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Colonial practice perpetuators often include museum curators and academic scholars who prioritize colonial narratives over indigenous voices.
2. The legacy of colonialism is maintained through the continued display of cultural artifacts in Western museums without proper consultation with source communities.
3. Many institutions engage in practices that reinforce colonial legacies, such as failing to return stolen artifacts to their original communities.
4. The fight for repatriation is complicated by legal frameworks that often favor the possessors of cultural property rather than the original custodians.
5. Awareness of colonial practice perpetuators is growing, leading to increased calls for accountability and changes in how cultural heritage is managed.

Review Questions

• How do colonial practice perpetuators influence contemporary understandings of cultural heritage?
  • Colonial practice perpetuators influence contemporary understandings of cultural heritage by maintaining narratives that reflect colonial viewpoints while neglecting indigenous perspectives. This often results in a skewed representation of history that supports existing power dynamics. As a result, marginalized communities struggle to assert their rights over their own cultural heritage and histories, making it crucial to challenge these perpetuators in order to foster more equitable representations.
• Discuss the implications of colonial practice perpetuators for the movement toward repatriation of cultural artifacts.
  • Colonial practice perpetuators have significant implications for the movement toward repatriation of cultural artifacts. They contribute to the argument against repatriation by framing the retention of artifacts as preservation or protection rather than as an act of dispossession. This perspective hinders progress in repatriation efforts, as institutions often resist returning items based on these entrenched beliefs. Challenging these attitudes is essential for achieving justice for source communities seeking to reclaim their heritage.
• Evaluate the role of museums as colonial practice perpetuators and their impact on public perception regarding cultural property rights.
  • Museums play a pivotal role as colonial practice perpetuators by often presenting artifacts without acknowledging their contested histories or the contexts from which they were taken. This can shape public perception by normalizing the idea that these artifacts belong in Western institutions rather than returning them to their rightful communities. The impact is profound, as it influences societal attitudes toward cultural property rights, ultimately affecting how individuals and institutions advocate for or resist repatriation efforts.

Related terms

Cultural appropriation: The adoption of elements of one culture by members of another culture, often without permission or understanding, leading to the exploitation of marginalized cultures.

Decolonization: The process through which colonies gain independence from colonial powers, addressing historical injustices and seeking to reclaim cultural identity.

Museological ethics: A set of moral principles guiding museum practices, particularly concerning the acquisition, display, and repatriation of cultural artifacts.