Museums and Atlantic Slavery

Museums and Atlantic Slavery explores how slavery, the Atlantic slave trade, and enslaved people are represented in museums in Europe and the Americas, addressing four recurrent themes: wealth and luxury, victimhood and victimization, resistance and rebellion, and resilience and achievement.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 122 pages
Publication date: 09 January 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Museums and Atlantic Slavery delves into the intricate ways in which slavery, the Atlantic slave trade, and enslaved individuals are portrayed through a diverse array of words, visual images, artifacts, and audiovisual materials in museums across Europe and the Americas. Spanning four chapters, the book explores four recurring themes: wealth and luxury; victimhood and victimization; resistance and rebellion; and resilience and achievement. By examining the roles of various social actors who have played a significant role in introducing slavery into museums over the past thirty years, the analysis draws upon selected exhibitions, institutions dedicated solely to slavery, as well as national, community, plantation, and house museums in the United States, England, France, and Brazil. Drawing upon literature from a wide range of disciplines, including history, anthropology, sociology, art history, tourism, and museum studies, Araujo offers a comprehensive overview of a topic that has yet to receive the attention it deserves within the field of museum studies.

Museums and Atlantic Slavery serves as a valuable resource for scholars, students, and museum professionals seeking to critically examine the representations of slavery in museums. By highlighting the limitations of traditional narratives and promoting a more nuanced understanding of the complexities of human bondage, the book encourages readers to recognize how depictions of slavery in museums and exhibitions often perpetuate racism and white supremacy, which were inherited from the period of slavery. Through its comprehensive analysis and engaging approach, Museums and Atlantic Slavery contributes to the ongoing dialogue about the role of museums in shaping public perceptions and understanding of historical events.

Weight: 244g
Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367530211