Many people have been working to challenge racism in museums for decades. Recent events have brought an increased focus on anti-racism. In 2020, following the murder of George Floyd and Black Lives Matter protests across the world, many museums issued statements of support. Action is still needed to move from statements to long-term change.
Governments across the UK have responded differently to anti-racist activism and demands for change. In England, the government’s retain and explain policy has put pressure on cultural organisations and undermined independent decision-making from the role of statues to board appointments.
A government backed report, published in March 2021, claimed that there was little evidence of structural racism in the UK, despite data and lived-experience clearly showing that racism continues to be a major issue.
By contrast, in Scotland the Government has sponsored Museum Galleries Scotland’s Empire, Slavery and Scotland’s Museums project. The project is exploring how the museum sector can contribute to understandings of the legacies of slavery, empire and colonialism.
In Wales, the Government commissioned an audit of historic monuments, buildings and street names to identify people commemorated who were associated with slavery. The Welsh government commissioned a report on teaching the histories and experiences of Black communities and ran a consultation in July 2021 for a Race Equality Action Plan. Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales and Arts Council Wales commissioned a report from Welsh Arts Anti-Racist Union to address racism in practice at both organisations.
In 2018, Amnesty International stated that ‘Northern Ireland has a racism problem’, after a survey revealed racial intolerance, and statistics showed a greater number of racist than sectarian incidents. Despite this, the Racial Equality Strategy 2015 – 2025 is yet to be implemented.
Given the history of division in Northern Ireland, and the prioritisation of ‘good relations’, museums have an important role to play in increasing representation of marginalised communities, and promoting respect, tolerance and understanding. From 2022, National Museums NI, the African Caribbean Support Organisation NI and the Northern Ireland Museums Council will be delivering a new Esmee Fairbairn Collections Fund project – Global Voices, Local Choices – which will focus on addressing racism and exclusionary practices.
Museums across the UK have a part to play in championing anti-racism, using our power, privilege and platforms to challenge injustice and advance equity. In the following exercises we will further consider the context for this work.