In an era where museums are reevaluating their collections, unearthing buried histories, and challenging problematic aspects of their past has become a call to action. With initiatives like "Museums Are Not Neutral" and exhibits such as the University of Michigan Museum of Art’s “Unsettling Histories: Legacies of Slavery and Colonialism," institutions are starting to acknowledge the often-overlooked stories rooted in colonization, Western domination ideology, and erasure. Among these narratives, one story stands out: the tale of Bélizaire, an enslaved Black or mixed-race teenager whose image was painted into a commissioned white family portrait only to be obscured later. This speaks volumes about the power of representation and erasure.
The picture challenges us to think about who is telling the story of our past, how that defines who we are and contributes to the myth-making of America, and who is included or excluded, and in this case, literally erased. Historian Katy Shannon noted, “People will know his name, they will see his face, and he will be the surrogate stand-in for so many people whose pictures weren’t painted and stories weren’t told.”
The tale of Bélizaire is an invitation to challenge the existing narratives, demand inclusive representation, and acknowledge the enduring struggles of those once relegated to the shadows. His image reminds us that history is not fixed, and those left out deserve to be seen, heard, and remembered.
Additional resources
- For more information on the museum's early practices and how they came from the spoils of colonization, read Museum Decolonization: Moving Away from Narratives Told by the Oppressors
Join our ASR DEI Community of Practice
Subscribe to our DEI Google Group to discuss the latest news, connect with the committee, and keep up-to-date with DEI initiatives. More resources and information about the DEI committee can be found on the ASR Intranet.
No comments:
Post a Comment