Can forgetting function as a radical and ethical intervention when institutionalized memory becomes co-opted?
Forgetting is often seen as an undesirable state that leads to mistakes, misunderstandings, and failure.
When institutionalized memories are used to maintain oppressive systems, forgetting can be an act of resistance and ethical intervention. Institutionalized memories can include historical narratives, cultural norms, and collective beliefs that reinforce power structures and privilege some groups while marginalizing others. In this context, forgetting can disrupt these narratives and allow for new ways of understanding and being in the world.
Colonizers have used their own histories to justify imperialist and racist practices, while Indigenous peoples have been forced to remember traumatic events without recognition or redress. By forgetting these dominant memories, Indigenous communities can create space for decolonization and healing.
Another way forgetting can function as an ethical intervention is through erasure. Erasure involves deliberately forgetting or suppressing information to challenge existing power dynamics. This can take many forms, from whitewashing history to ignoring the experiences of certain groups.
The MeToo movement has brought attention to the ways women's experiences of sexual assault have been minimized or forgotten in favor of men's stories. By centering survivors' voices and creating space for them to speak, we can begin to question and dismantle the institutions that perpetuate rape culture.
Forgetting can also involve letting go of harmful memories or experiences that no longer serve us. This can be especially important for those who have experienced trauma, such as survivors of abuse or violence. Forgiving ourselves and others can be a radical act of liberation, allowing us to move forward with greater freedom and autonomy. It is not about forgetting the past but reframing it in a way that empowers rather than oppresses.
Forgetting can be a powerful tool for challenging institutionalized memory when it is co-opted to support oppressive systems. It requires careful consideration and intentionality, but can lead to new possibilities for resistance and justice.
Can forgetting function as a radical and ethical intervention when institutionalized memory becomes co-opted?
Yes, forgetting can be an effective tool of resistance against oppressive systems that seek to control the narratives about history and identity by co-opting memories of individuals and communities. Forgetting involves the deliberate act of refusing to remember certain events, people, or experiences for various reasons such as self-protection or solidarity with others. This process can be empowering because it allows people to challenge dominant narratives and assert their autonomy over their own pasts.