Most Britons support permanent British Museum exhibit on transatlantic slave trade, poll finds

A majority of people in the UK believe the British Museum should have a permanent exhibition dedicated to the transatlantic slave trade, new research shows.

The YouGov poll, commissioned by non-profits the Good Law Project and the World Reimagined and first reported on by The Guardian, reveals that 53% of respondents think a permanent display about Britain’s involvement in the enslavement of African people would be appropriate at the British Museum. Additionally, around two-thirds of those surveyed agree that the British Museum has a responsibility to educate the public about the UK’s role in the slave trade.

When asked whether public education on the history of the British Empire is essential for understanding the multicultural society of today, 72% of respondents expressed agreement.

The polling also reflects growing support for initiatives aimed at addressing the legacies of slavery, including The World Reimagined, an art education programme known for its globe sculptures created by artists like Yinka Shonibare, which have been displayed in cities around the UK.

They argue that the museum's ongoing “Masterplan” renovation, described by new director Nicholas Cullinan as “a complete holistic transformation, top to bottom, inside out, buildings, collection, visual identity,” should include a permanent exhibit highlighting Britain’s role in the transatlantic slave trade.

The organisations sent an open letter to Cullinan on Thursday (21 November).

“We all recognise that the British Museum is a powerful cultural institution, sharing narratives, cultures and histories with a global audience. Quite rightly, the British Museum seeks to document Britain’s role in the world, bridging the gap between the past, present and future,” the letter reads, “However, in all of that, there is no exhibition on the transatlantic trade in enslaved African people.”

“The Museum must acknowledge Britain’s role in the trade in enslaved African people in order to serve the British public, who deserve to understand their own history,” the letter continues.

A second open letter was sent to UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, encouraging her to “set the priorities for the Museum”, noting that the museum’s renovation is “a vital opportunity for ensuring that a confident 21st century Britain can be honest about what is still recent history, a shared history that has shaped Britain profoundly and the lives of millions of people here and all over the world.”

This summer, 'The Wake' by Khaleb Brooks was announced as the British capital’s first memorial to the victims of transatlantic slavery.

Designed to reflect on the role London played in slavery – and the way slavery shaped the British capital – the memorial artwork will be located in West India Quay in London’s Docklands, close to warehouses built to house goods produced via slavery.

Additional sources • The Guardian