Museums and archives have been known to collect and preserve artifacts and objects from the past that often reflect the power dynamics of the time they were created in. These artifacts can be deeply rooted in colonialism, racism, and other forms of oppression, which makes it challenging for these institutions to confront their complicity in perpetuating these exclusionary practices. This is particularly true when it comes to collections related to sex, sexuality, eroticism, and relationships, which are often viewed through a heteronormative lens that fails to recognize the diversity of human experience. The lack of representation in these collections has led to a culture of silence around LGBTQ+ identities, where queer histories are relegated to the margins and hidden behind censorship.
There have been efforts made to address this issue, including queering museums and archives and creating spaces for more inclusive collections. In this article, I will explore how museums and archives grapple with their complicity in past exclusions by examining various strategies used to make them more representative and accessible.
One strategy employed by some museums and archives is decolonization. This involves removing objects or information that perpetuate harmful stereotypes about non-Western cultures and replacing them with more nuanced representations.
The British Museum has started to return looted objects to their rightful owners as part of its commitment to decolonizing its collection. Another approach is using digital technologies to democratize access to collections, making them available online and allowing users to curate their own experiences. The Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture has done this by providing virtual tours of its exhibits on slavery and civil rights.
Many museums have begun collaborating with Indigenous communities to ensure that they are represented accurately in exhibits and programming. The Canadian Museum of Human Rights, for instance, worked closely with First Nations groups to develop an interactive exhibit on residential schools.
Another way museums and archives can address their exclusionary practices is through queering exhibitions and programs. Queering museums and archives means highlighting LGBTQ+ histories and perspectives and challenging heteronormative narratives around sex and sexuality. The Victoria and Albert Museum in London, for example, has organized exhibits such as "Fashioned from Nature" that explores how fashion has been shaped by queer culture. Other institutions have created programs specifically aimed at queer youth, like the GLBT History Museum in San Francisco, which offers educational workshops on LGBTQ+ history. In addition, some museums have established departments dedicated solely to representing diverse identities, such as the National Museum of Women in the Arts or the National Museum of the American Indian. By creating these spaces, they make it easier for visitors to see themselves reflected in the collections and engage with topics related to sex, sexuality, eroticism, and relationships in a more nuanced way.
Some museums and archives have taken the bold step of deaccessioning problematic objects or information. This involves removing artifacts that perpetuate harmful stereotypes or promote violence against certain groups.
The New York Public Library recently removed its collection of racist postcards depicting Black people in derogatory ways. Another museum, the National Museum of the Philippines, returned bones from the Tabon Cave that had been used to justify colonial claims over the country's territory. These actions send a powerful message that museums are willing to confront their past complicity in exclusionary practices and take steps towards greater inclusivity.
Museums and archives can grapple with their complicity in past exclusions through strategies such as decolonization, digital democratization, collaborations with Indigenous communities, queering exhibitions and programming, and deaccessioning offensive materials. While there is still much work to be done, these efforts show that institutions are beginning to recognize the importance of diversifying their collections and making them accessible to all audiences. As we move forward into an increasingly globalized world, museums and archives must continue to prioritize representation and accessibility if they want to remain relevant and responsive to changing societal needs.
How do museums and archives grapple with their complicity in past exclusions?
While there are many ways that museums and archives can work towards addressing their role in historical exclusion, it is important for them to acknowledge and reflect on the impact of their choices and actions. This involves recognizing the power structures that have shaped the creation and preservation of collections, as well as actively working to expand access to marginalized communities.