A recent poll conducted by YouGov revealed that a majority of people in the UK support the idea of the British Museum having a permanent exhibit dedicated to the transatlantic slave trade. According to the research, 53% of respondents believe that a display focusing on Britain’s role in the trade of enslaved Africans would be appropriate. Additionally, two-thirds of those surveyed feel that the British Museum has a responsibility to educate the public about the UK’s history in the slave trade.
The survey also asked participants whether they agreed with the statement that public education about the reality of the British empire is important for understanding Britain’s multicultural society today. An overwhelming 72% of respondents expressed their support for this idea.
The online polling was conducted in partnership with the Good Law Project and the World Reimagined, an art education program known for its globe sculptures created by artists like Yinka Shonibare. The World Reimagined believes that the ongoing renovation of the British Museum should include a permanent exhibit focusing on Britain’s involvement in the transatlantic slave trade.
Michelle Gayle, co-founder of the World Reimagined, emphasized the importance of presenting history accurately and inclusively. She sees the British Museum’s redevelopment as an opportunity to confront the past and showcase Britain as a nation unafraid to acknowledge its history and honor the contributions of all its citizens.
British Museum’s new director, Nicholas Cullinan, has expressed his belief in the importance of promoting coexistence and cultural exchange within the institution. The museum’s reported £1bn “masterplan” overhaul aims to address its collection’s connections with colonialism and the slave trade.
In recent years, the British Museum has taken steps to engage with its collection’s problematic history. A temporary exhibition by artist Hew Locke juxtaposed his works with items looted by Britain during its colonial era, prompting reflection on the institution’s past actions. The museum also relocated a bust of Hans Sloane, a figure whose wealth derived from Jamaican plantations and investment in the slave trade, to a new case with explanatory information.
A spokesperson for the British Museum stated that the institution is committed to transparency regarding the origins of its collection. They highlighted current exhibitions that critically examine the transatlantic slave trade and the museum’s role in collecting artifacts during the colonial period. The museum aims to provide visitors with a comprehensive understanding of human history through evolving displays and educational initiatives.
