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Okay, so what about a "White History Museum" in Africa? Or China? Or Brazil? That is definitely perceived differently, and also it's content would not represent

by SamUK96 10y ago

Okay, so what about a "White History Museum" in Africa? Or China? Or Brazil? That is definitely perceived differently, and also it's content would not represent the "normal" history of the parent location.

burkaman 10y ago
I think a White History Museum in Africa would be fine, but it would be about the history of white people specifically in Africa, which is not very pleasant. It would be mostly imperialism, slave trade, apartheid, etc. The black history museum is not supposed to represent the "parent country" it's supposed to represent black people in America. A white history museum would do the same.
- wang_li 10y ago
  > I think a White History Museum in Africa would be fine, but it would be about the history of white people specifically in Africa, which is not very pleasant. It would be mostly imperialism, slave trade, apartheid, etc. That seems surprisingly narrow minded and makes me wonder whether you feel that there is a particular narrative that needs to be followed. European/white descended people and organizations have done some pretty amazing stuff in Africa. And continue to do so. One might ask how much time must pass after an event before it is considered history? Given that the Smithsonian African-American includes sections on Barack Obama and Anita Hill, as well as photos and memorabilia relating to sports stars, including LeBron James, it seems that the necessary time must be quite brief. As such I would expect an honest White History Museum in Africa would include the many significant positives.
  - burkaman 10y ago
    Yes of course, I shouldn't have implied it would be all negative. You're right, more recent history would include lots of positive stuff.
- michaelbuddy 10y ago
  It would also be a history of agricultural prosperity. It would also have to include the billions of dollars of charity sent to Africa for decades by Western Countries, quite notably by the United States. Probably should illustrate how much better economically black people in the United States have over the countries they were removed from, as Muhammad Ali notably stated.

by SamUK96 10y ago

burkaman 10y ago

I think a White History Museum in Africa would be fine, but it would be about the history of white people specifically in Africa, which is not very pleasant. It would be mostly imperialism, slave trade, apartheid, etc. The black history museum is not supposed to represent the "parent country" it's supposed to represent black people in America. A white history museum would do the same.

wang_li 10y ago
> I think a White History Museum in Africa would be fine, but it would be about the history of white people specifically in Africa, which is not very pleasant. It would be mostly imperialism, slave trade, apartheid, etc. That seems surprisingly narrow minded and makes me wonder whether you feel that there is a particular narrative that needs to be followed. European/white descended people and organizations have done some pretty amazing stuff in Africa. And continue to do so. One might ask how much time must pass after an event before it is considered history? Given that the Smithsonian African-American includes sections on Barack Obama and Anita Hill, as well as photos and memorabilia relating to sports stars, including LeBron James, it seems that the necessary time must be quite brief. As such I would expect an honest White History Museum in Africa would include the many significant positives.
- burkaman 10y ago
  Yes of course, I shouldn't have implied it would be all negative. You're right, more recent history would include lots of positive stuff.
michaelbuddy 10y ago
It would also be a history of agricultural prosperity. It would also have to include the billions of dollars of charity sent to Africa for decades by Western Countries, quite notably by the United States. Probably should illustrate how much better economically black people in the United States have over the countries they were removed from, as Muhammad Ali notably stated.