New York Times Article: "As part of a reorganization of the museum in preparation for the 2004 exhibition, Mr. Gryseels decided to take a fresh look at Belgium's colonial past. The study, which begins this fall, will be carried out by a scientific commission led by the Belgian historian Jean-Luc Vellut and will address Belgium's entire colonial past, not just the Leopold period. To ensure objectivity, working groups will also include American and African scholars.
Now, Mr. Gryseels acknowledged, the museum is ill prepared to address the questions raised by Mr. Hochschild and other recent authors. 'When you visit our museum, you don't find any information about the allegations made in these books,' he said. 'So we thought it was important to present the different views of historians on that period and provide scientific information so that a visitor can make up his own mind.'
He does not expect the study and exhibition to lead to a fresh apology to Congo, however. 'A lot of very positive things happened during the real period of colonization after 1908,' he said. 'Also, I don't think one should look at the past with the moral standards of today. After all, early in the last century, children of 6 or 7 were working 17 hours a day in Belgian factories. We should look at it with the moral standards of those periods.'
But, Mr. Gryseels was asked, was he shocked when he read Mr. Hochschild's book?
'Yes, I was,' he said softly. 'Obviously, it hits pretty hard. Especially since I am from a generation that was brought up with a very positive and flattering view of our colonial activities. I am from a generation that sold calendars and New Year's cards to help missionaries in Central Africa. And when you read all these revelations, they're pretty hard hitting.'"
Geen opmerkingen:
Een reactie posten