Reconstructing South African identity after 1994: Museums and public history

Flynn, M. K.; King, Tony

Abstract

Looking at South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s influence on symbolic reparation for the abuses of apartheid, Kate Flynn and Tony King found that, despite good will, nuseum directors flounder on the task of promoting “a cross-racial and –cultural civic identity [to replace] the predemocratic premise of ... legally unequal ethnic communities.” Research conducted throughout the nation revealed that although the inclusive “reconciliation” ideal governs rhetoric among museum boards, institutions “have been [un]able to capitalize on this sentiment.” Why? Visitors are mainly students and tourists, a demographic that asks: can museum narratives “enhance civic cohesion and cross-racial or –cultural understanding”? Or does this historical gerrymandering bode ill for an otherwi

• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2008
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Pages: 123-149
• Series Title: At the Interface
• Series Number: 47
• Book Title: Violence
• ISBN: 9789042024038
• Keywords: South Africa, heritage, museums, apartheid
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1018522
• Publisher URL: http://www.rodopi.nl/senj.asp?BookId=ATI%2FPTB+47