Should slavery's statues be removed? On transitional justice and contested heritage

Joanna M Burch-Brown

doi:10.1111/japp.12485

Should slavery's statues be removed? On transitional justice and contested heritage

Joanna M Burch-Brown^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article (Academic Journal) › peer-review

25 Citations (Scopus)

617 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

What should we do with statues and place-names memorializing people who committed human rights abuses linked to slavery and post-slavery racism? In this paper, I draw on UN principles of transitional justice to address this question. I propose that a successful approach should meet principles of transitional justice recognized by the UN, including affirming rights to justice, truth, reparations, and guarantees of non-recurrence of human rights violations. I discuss four strategies for handling contested heritage, examining strengths and weaknesses of each strategy. Examples from Bristol, England highlight common challenges as well as positive lessons.

Original language	English
Number of pages	18
Journal	Journal of Applied Philosophy
Early online date	20 Nov 2020
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/japp.12485
Publication status	E-pub ahead of print - 20 Nov 2020

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25 Citations
1 Article (Academic Journal)

Is it wrong to topple statues and rename schools?
Burch-Brown, J., Dec 2017, In: Journal of Political Theory and Philosophy. 1, p. 59-88 29 p.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article (Academic Journal) › peer-review

Open Access
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3 Public talk, debate, discussion
2 Participation in conference
2 - Research and Teaching at External Organisation
1 Participation in workshop, seminar, course
More
- 1 Media coverage or participation

Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) - 'Newsmakers' 6PM news
Burch-Brown, J. M. (Interviewee)
15 May 2019
Activity: Other activity types › Media coverage or participation
Centre for Black Humanities Away Day & Workshop (decolonizing the curriculum)
Burch-Brown, J. M. (Participant)
3 Apr 2019
Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in workshop, seminar, course
Bristol Forum: Creating positive action through research and collaboration - panellist with 'City Conversations on Race Equality'
Burch-Brown, J. M. (Speaker)
29 Mar 2019
Activity: Talk or presentation types › Public talk, debate, discussion

Dr Joanna M Burch-Brown
- J.Burch-Brownbristol.acuk
- Department of Philosophy - Senior Lecturer
- Migration Mobilities Bristol
Person: Academic , Member

Cite this

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Should slavery's statues be removed? On transitional justice and contested heritage

Abstract

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Research output

Is it wrong to topple statues and rename schools?

Activities

Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) - 'Newsmakers' 6PM news

Centre for Black Humanities Away Day & Workshop (decolonizing the curriculum)

Bristol Forum: Creating positive action through research and collaboration - panellist with 'City Conversations on Race Equality'

Profiles

Dr Joanna M Burch-Brown

Cite this