Myth of neutrality and non-performativity of antiracism

ABSTRACT

While museums are absorbing the language of social justice by hosting exhibitions on themes like feminism, blackness, accessibility, etc. the same museums are battling with systemic injustice within their own walls. This article discusses how museums are failing to uphold social change in their institutions by drawing attention to two recent cases: the hiring of Kristen Windmuller-Luna as curator for African Arts at Brooklyn Museum and the protests against weapons manufacturer Warren Kanders during the Whitney Biennial 2019. This study finds how the ‘myth of neutrality’ and ‘non-performativity of anti-racism’, creates barriers for social change. The study discusses the belief that museums are neutral and how social justice is treated as a ‘trend’ rather than a social problem that the museum is implicated in. These findings suggest that for museums to stay relevant they must be closely interconnected with the community.

KEYWORDS:

• Social justice
• museums
• myth of neutrality
• non-performativity
• antiracism
• community engagement

Acknowledgement

Thanks to Daniela Agostinho and Anjelic Owens for their support and guidance in the process of writing the article. A special acknowledgement to the educators and access managers for their time and contribution to the research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Livia Prescha

Livia Prescha holds an MA in Visual Culture from the University of Copenhagen. Her work is devoted to social justice, education and community engagement through her practice as an educator, curator and artist.