As a contemporary museum, how do you handle the legacies of slavery?
In close collaboration with scientists, activists and artists, the Tropenmuseum put on the Afterlives of Slavery exhibition, which included a discussion platform on the Dutch slavery past.
The past carries on
From the point of view of the enslaved and their descendants, the museum tells stories from the past and present about oppression and resistance. It shows how slavery’s past still pervades the present day by exposing the colonial roots of racial inequality.
Academics and activists, including #DecoloniseTheMuseum, advised the Tropenmuseum on the development of language use and presentation methods. The museum also wants to learn from visitors, who are encouraged to answer questions and leave comments.
The Tropenmuseum wants to use Afterlives of Slavery to increase knowledge about the past that is shared by both black and white. In addition, the museum wishes to instigate the difficult but productive dialogue about the legacies of this past.
For questions about the content or advice, please contact exhibition creator Richard Kofi (richard.kofi@wereldculturen.nl or +31880042813) or curator Martin Berger (martin.berger@wereldculturen.nl or +31880042934). For more information, click here to find out more about the exhibition.
