What price does one pay for telling the truth?
I found out recently that it actually pays to keep your mouth shut, especially when employed by one of the self-appointed gatekeepers of culture. Institutions such as the British Museum owe their success to their massive collections and it's no secret that much of their catalogue comprises of artefacts stolen from the colonies. Yet reminding the public of this fact is frowned upon by the management of said establishments, as was made clear to me when I was discharged of my duties at the Natural History Museum for doing just that.
It's clear that UK museums remain in a state of denial; wanting you to believe they are committed to making amends for their shady pasts, propped up by imperialistic attitudes, but their lip-service only goes a certain distance. Efforts to "decolonise" museum spaces amount in a few strategically placed signs in cabinets declaring that certain exhibits may have been acquired by less that favourable means. Meanwhile requests for dialogue over restitution fall on deaf ears. The opportunity is there for real change from the top, yet those in command seem reluctant to effect such change therefore the status quo is upheld.
There doesn't even seem to be any effort to address the apparent "colour bar"; during my time at the NHM I hardly noticed any senior management who look like me, in fact I'm certain there weren't any at all. The higher ranks remain reserved for the usual (old-boy network) suspects, each with one eye focused on the spoils of colonialism, the other on future careers in parliament. It's on the museum floor where you'll find more diversity and cultural representation, the front line officers who struggle to survive on a minimum wage whilst kept in line by zero-hour contracts. I used to call it the plantation, a title the museum's original main benefactor, Hans Sloane would have been more than familiar with.
These bastions of colonialism continue to hold onto their loot and expect the world to support them.. donate to them.. patronise them.. just don't hold them to account. One of the few things our government got right was the introduction of free entry into our museums, they now need to extend that generosity towards the countries whose property is still being held. Return ownership to the rightful owners and enter into loan agreements so that ordinary people remain able to marvel at and be enlightened by their story.
I was never going to make a career out of working at the NHM, I was there mainly to support my exuberant student lifestyle. But it hurt just the same, not losing my job per se (I stand my my viewpoint) but the social interaction with the public and comradeship my fellow workers in purple.
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