Angry protesters in Cape Town have confronted the king and queen of the Netherlands as they visited a museum that traces part of their country's 150-year involvement in slavery in South Africa.
First, protest’s don’t necessarily need to accomplish anything, people are allowed to be angry.
Obviously, people are allowed to be angry. The question is whether the anger is productive.
Third, as a Dutch guy I don’t really mind them being uncomfortable for a bit once in a while, keeps them grounded.
Sure, but shouldn’t the protest have been, I don’t know, elsewhere than the visit to the museum? It’s a very “No good deed goes unpunished” - it’s a small act, sure, but surely making the museum visit the locus for the discomfort is just discouraging high-profile figures from acknowledging these sins?
They made some tokenisation effort to look like they gave a shit, why should that be rewarded?
“Oh we understand you’re still suffering and that we are partially responsible but we went inside that nice air conditioned building and had a guided tour for us after they closed the place down to every other visitor just for us. So like it’s really mean that you’re still angry at us right now”
Man, if your poinit of view is that you want to discourage high-profile people from visiting these museums because their blood is impure or whatever, I don’t know what to tell you, other than that all that’ll result in is less exposure to these places and these sins.
It is not, it keeps the knowledge of the past happenings alive in general population. It doesn’t matter if it’s part of the court responsibles or marketing or whatever you call it. Media and people will talk about the visit, people will learn there is museum and why. Just like we are now chatting about it.
Thus change that history won’t repeat itself get higher.
I think OP’s point was not disregard idea that humans should reflect upon mistakes of the past. There was no reward for that unless you meant protesters being rewarded by verbally hurting someone who actually pays respect to the cause.
Okay, but it is a really good time, to protest this topic.
Imagine the protestors showing up when they visit a chocolate factory. Everyone would be wondering, why they chose the chocolate factory of all places to protest slavery.
Obviously, people are allowed to be angry. The question is whether the anger is productive.
Sure, but shouldn’t the protest have been, I don’t know, elsewhere than the visit to the museum? It’s a very “No good deed goes unpunished” - it’s a small act, sure, but surely making the museum visit the locus for the discomfort is just discouraging high-profile figures from acknowledging these sins?
Why?
They made some tokenisation effort to look like they gave a shit, why should that be rewarded?
“Oh we understand you’re still suffering and that we are partially responsible but we went inside that nice air conditioned building and had a guided tour for us after they closed the place down to every other visitor just for us. So like it’s really mean that you’re still angry at us right now”
Man, if your poinit of view is that you want to discourage high-profile people from visiting these museums because their blood is impure or whatever, I don’t know what to tell you, other than that all that’ll result in is less exposure to these places and these sins.
My point is them visiting a museum means jack fucking shit.
It is not, it keeps the knowledge of the past happenings alive in general population. It doesn’t matter if it’s part of the court responsibles or marketing or whatever you call it. Media and people will talk about the visit, people will learn there is museum and why. Just like we are now chatting about it.
Thus change that history won’t repeat itself get higher.
I guess this is where we’re supposed to agree that the status quo is working. Is that the angle?
As long as we don’t take NEW advantage of the situation, the current advantage is fine?
Nothing they do will ever mean anything, because nothing can redeem the past.
Adamantly agree. It’s token bullshit unless they do something real as a result.
Will wait for that headline.and anger need not always be productive. Sometimes most to all avenues for productive discourse are shut down.
But anger remains a legitimate and reasonable response.
So… I agree with basically everything you’re saying here and I believe you’ve stated it clearly and well.
I think OP’s point was not disregard idea that humans should reflect upon mistakes of the past. There was no reward for that unless you meant protesters being rewarded by verbally hurting someone who actually pays respect to the cause.
Okay, but it is a really good time, to protest this topic.
Imagine the protestors showing up when they visit a chocolate factory. Everyone would be wondering, why they chose the chocolate factory of all places to protest slavery.
Better would be protests everywhere they go.