Not as Simple as Black and White: Chronicling the Commemorative Stories of Minorities in a New Era of Social Justice.

Summary

Public commemorations can serve as an important means of preserving historical events and shaping collective memory. Historically, dominant narratives have often overshadowed or marginalized the experiences of minority groups, perpetuating inequalities and erasing their contributions to society. As vessels of memory, monuments are reflections of culture and history, and statuary monuments have long been a significant medium through which societies commemorate notable individuals and events, serving as enduring symbols of cultural memory and identity. In a new era of social justice, however, there have been concerted efforts to challenge these narratives and amplify the voices of marginalized communities through commemorative practices. In this paper, I survey recent conference and publication initiatives from an archaeological perspective that highlight commemorative stories of minorities with real life examples that elucidate the significance of these narratives in shaping collective memory and fostering inclusivity.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for Historical Archaeology 2025

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Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Nicole Haddow