Absence and Piecemeal Approaches to Commemorative Practice

Abstract

In this essay I utilize Natalia Molina’s (2014) definition of racialized script to interrogate how and to what extent AMNH’s efforts in 2019 to “flip” the racialized script of the TR equestrian statue with the temporary Addressing the Statue exhibit attempts to mitigate public perceptions of the statue being a blatant expression of racial dominance. This mitigation is done through the rhetorical recontextualization of the statue through the exhibit as a problematic but necessary history. Here I discuss why such actions are piecemeal efforts on the part of the AMNH, and how the museum’s choices to maintain other problematic displays inside the museum counter-productively embraces the commemorative absence of the TR equestrian statue (Maxson, 2019)—continuing to circulate the same problematic narratives the museum claims to detest. This analysis adds to our ability to continue asking, “How do we deal with our problematic history?” This question aids us in understanding the potential implications associated with preserving and circulating histories that promote discriminatory perspectives and reinforce hegemonic ideals by masquerading as a “necessary” or “entitled” history.