History at Risk: Activism and the Contested Past around the World

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In Bristol on 7 June 2020 the statue of Edward Colston was pulled down as part of the Black Lives Matter protests. Colston was a slave owner and philanthropist; his statue had been the subject of protest for decades. The toppling of the statue led to debates around the UK and globally about the nature of public memory. Cities around the country began to review their public realm commemoration practices. The debates around the Colston statue, the legacies of colonialism, and public memory demonstrate an unprecedented moment of scrutiny about how and why historisy is used in public in the UK. They are also part of a wider phenomenon around the world. Globally, populism has efficiently used nationalist definitions of history to seek to silence opposition. In countries such as Brazil, Australia, Poland, Hungary, Colombia, New Zealand, Italy and the United States, the past has become a proxy means for the conservative right to attack opponents. Claims rooted in defending particular narratives of history and conspiracy theories have become a rallying cry for right-wing groups including neo-Nazis. Far-right and far-left groups, conservative media, and populist politicians have put incredible pressure upon historical practitioners in communities. This is a period of risk for history. It is also a moment of opportunity. This network seeks to respond to these urgent global debates. The network considers the new contexts for public history in a political climate where contested histories are themselves being contested and the legitimacy of complexity is challenged. The project will seek to understand this crisis in a global context, to make connections between communities and practitioners across the world, and to share pedagogical and commemorative practice. Working in tandem with Manchester's 'Histories, Stories and Voices' project, set up by Manchester City Council in 2021 to consider public realm commemoration in the city, the network will seek to understand the current crisis of commemorative practice and to develop practical solutions with local communities as well as creating educational resources for teaching contested histories. Manchester will act as a local case-study for the network, enabling strong, sustainable, and collaborative work to be undertaken. The exchange of ideas and practices between local, national and international practitioners will allow reflection upon issues of migration, globalisation, ethics and cultural exchange. Manchester is one of the most diverse cities in Europe, with over 200 languages spoken. It is also a place in which radical moments, from Peterloo to Suffragettism to the Rochdale Pioneers to FC United, have been memorialised as part of the fabric of the city. The network will work with many organisations in the city but focus on five partners to emphasise co-production of research and co-development of ideas.