Yinka Shonibare, an artist nominated for the Turner Prize, believes that rather than overturning colonial history, we should analyze it.
“In my opinion, you shouldn’t be tearing down statues,” he stated to News. That is, I believe, analogous to not going into a library and destroying every book you didn’t like.
“I don’t think you can erase history.”
Shonibare’s nuanced perspective is timely given the heated discussion around the function of monuments, which has centered on figures like the 17th-century slave trader Edward Colston and imperialist Cecil Rhodes at an Oxford university.
In my opinion, the most effective course of action is to establish forums where individuals may engage in substantive discourse and debate. Additionally, we are aware that 19th-century individuals had distinct ideals.
As a person, they have changed. Therefore, in my opinion, we shouldn’t automatically associate the 19th century with us. Therefore, I believe we need some context. Though I do not believe that we should forget the past.
