"Decolonizing National and Imperial Memories: Introduction" by Jarula M.I. Wegner, Jocelyn S. Martin et al.
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Kritika Kultura

Author ORCID Identifier

0000-0002-2846-0258; 0000-0003-4771-5647

Abstract

Building on Frantz Fanon’s insights into the intricate entanglements of colonialism, nation-states, and memories, there have been increasing calls to decolonize national and imperial memories. This introduction sketches the wider historical context within which these calls emerged, the collaboration that led to this special issue, and the contributions it makes to the wider debate.The introduction observes a general rise in calls for decolonization around the globe. The appeal to decolonize national and imperial memories was a response to at least three significant historical developments. First, the insight that mid-twentieth century decolonization remained incomplete, second, the widespread “memory boom” of the late twentieth century, and third, concerns stated upon the founding of the Memory Studies Association in Amsterdam in 2016 that it would reproduce old imperial structures. The special issue is the product of a larger project seeking to advance transformative inclusivity and belonging in the field of memory studies and beyond. By meeting regularly to collaborate across continents, cultures, and disciplines, the collective not only seeks to decolonize memories, but also the ways in which such memories are studied. It is important, therefore, that the, in total, three special issues on decolonizing the study of memory, that are among the first outcomes of our initiative, are published on three different continents—Africa, Asia, and Europe—beginning with this one in the Philippines in an open-access journal. Reflecting on one’s own positionality and how it shapes one’s research interests and professional pursuits is an ongoing question discussed by both the guest editors in the introduction, and the contributors in their articles. While the contributions to this special issue speak to one another and the challenges of decolonizing national and imperial memories in diverse ways, they are presented in three sections: first, history and society, second, literature, and third, museums and art. Building on the lead article, the introduction shows how the contributions articulate the process of decolonization in twelve different ways. However, the editors encourage readers to establish further connections, open new pathways, and in this way take up and advance the project of decolonizing national and imperial memories.

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