Europe Is Trying To Erase Its Brutal Colonial Past | A History Lesson In Berlin | Chimamanda Adichie

Summary

This speech critically addresses Europe's colonial past, focusing on the erasure of history in Belgian and German education and the ongoing consequences of colonial actions. The speaker highlights the importance of confronting uncomfortable truths, particularly about Africa's exploitation, and argues for the return of cultural artifacts taken during colonialism. By challenging the notion of 'ethnological' art and the hypocrisy in Europe's handling of its history, the speaker calls for courage, accountability, and a commitment to recognizing the dignity of those impacted by colonialism, emphasizing that real progress can only come through open, courageous dialogue and action.

Takeaways

• 😀 European colonial histories, such as Belgium’s exploitation of Congo, are often ignored or downplayed in education, which perpetuates historical erasure.
• 😀 The speaker challenges the narrative that colonialism is a past issue with no lasting impact, emphasizing how it shapes the present and the future.
• 😀 Historical atrocities, like the mass killings in Namibia and German East Africa, must be taught as part of Europe’s history to prevent whitewashing the past.
• 😀 The unequal power relations between Europe and former colonies are key to understanding ongoing debates about returning stolen artifacts.
• 😀 European museums and institutions are criticized for holding onto colonial loot, with the speaker arguing that returning these artifacts is a moral and legal obligation.
• 😀 Terms like ‘ethnological’ art reinforce a hierarchy that devalues non-European cultures, contributing to a legacy of colonialism.
• 😀 The return of stolen artifacts, such as the Benin bronzes, is seen as a step toward addressing historical wrongs, but more action is needed across Europe.
• 😀 The speaker calls for courage in facing uncomfortable truths about colonial history and urges European countries to take responsibility for their actions.
• 😀 Acts of courage and truth-telling, especially regarding the return of cultural treasures, are essential to building a better future and creating real progress.
• 😀 The speaker advocates for genuine intercultural dialogue, urging for practical changes, such as easier travel visas for people from formerly colonized regions to participate in global conversations.

Q & A

Why does the speaker emphasize the absence of Congo in Belgian history lessons?

The speaker emphasizes this absence to highlight the selective nature of historical education in Belgium, where the brutal colonial history of Congo is ignored. The speaker argues that this omission perpetuates a lack of awareness about the atrocities committed during Belgian colonial rule in Congo.

What is the significance of the term 'ethnological' when applied to non-Western art?

The term 'ethnological' is criticized because it suggests a hierarchy of value that diminishes the cultural worth of non-Western art. The speaker argues that this labeling is condescending and reinforces colonial power structures by categorizing non-Western art as lesser or 'primitive.'

What does the speaker mean by 'the history of Africa and Asia and Latin America must matter as well'?

The speaker argues that colonial histories from non-European regions should be given equal importance in historical narratives. By saying these histories must matter, the speaker stresses the need for a more inclusive and truthful understanding of global history, rather than focusing only on European narratives.

How does the speaker address the idea of European museums holding colonial artifacts?

The speaker critiques European museums for retaining colonial artifacts, arguing that these objects were stolen and should be returned to their rightful owners. The speaker rejects the idea that these artifacts should stay in Europe because of concerns about their care, emphasizing that their rightful place is with the communities from which they were taken.

What role does the concept of power play in the speaker's message?

Power is a central theme in the speaker's message. The speaker argues that the unequal power dynamics between Europe and colonized countries are reflected in the way history is told, artifacts are kept, and narratives are shaped. This imbalance of power leads to the erasure or distortion of colonial histories and the perpetuation of unequal cultural exchanges.

What does the speaker mean by 'the victory feels colourless, almost unearned' in the context of unequal power?

The speaker is commenting on how victories achieved through unequal power dynamics lack legitimacy. When power is wielded unjustly, the resulting triumphs feel hollow and unearned because they are not based on fairness or mutual respect, but on domination and exploitation.

How does the speaker view Europe's responsibility in acknowledging its colonial past?

The speaker argues that Europe must fully acknowledge its colonial past and the atrocities that were committed during that time. The speaker critiques the tendency to downplay or ignore these events, suggesting that true progress can only come when Europe confronts its historical wrongs and takes responsibility for them.

What is the significance of the Benin bronzes in the speaker's argument?

The Benin bronzes are used as an example of colonial looting and the ongoing debate over the return of cultural artifacts. The speaker acknowledges that Germany's decision to return some of the bronzes is a positive step, but insists that this is just the beginning of a larger movement toward restitution and that other countries, like Britain, should follow suit.

How does the speaker connect the concept of courage to the conversation about colonialism and restitution?

The speaker connects courage to the need for European nations to confront uncomfortable truths about their colonial past. Courage is required not only to admit past wrongs but to take action, such as returning stolen artifacts and engaging in open dialogue about the legacies of colonialism.

What does the speaker mean by 'the past does not merely tell us what happened yesterday, it also illuminates what happens today'?

The speaker argues that history is not just about recounting past events, but also about understanding how those events continue to shape the present. By recognizing the lasting impact of colonialism, we can better understand the inequalities and injustices that still persist today.