Slavery

The question of whether pieces of art that depict slavery have a place in an art museum has been debated for quite some time. Slavery was a very dark period in American history, along with every other nation that partook in this inhumane and cruel practice. There are viable arguments for both sides of this controversial subject, and knowing why people feel the way they do about this type of content being in an art museum may give somebody a better understanding of their own feelings on it. Here are some reasons why people are for or against slavery artwork being displayed at an art museum.

Against: Some believe that slavery is not something that people should be gathering around to look at. The disgusting acts that took place in our history should be left in the past, not stared at as a form of entertainment. Visiting an art museum to see the struggles of slaves is offensive.

For: A reason why many people believe that slavery artwork does belong in an art museum is because these events did occur, and the depictions are a constant reminder of that. Without knowing and studying our history, we may end up making the same mistakes again in the future. Visiting an art museum should be an educational experience, and that includes that good and the bad events.

Against: Another argument is that having constant reminders of slavery is not going to allow the United States to heal its wounds. Issues of race have not gone away by any means, and there are still many ignorant people out there. To make people understand that slavery is not a subject to trivialize, the artwork should be taken out of the art museum.

For: It is a popular belief that disallowing any type of art from being displayed at an art museum is a form of censorship. Art is something that allows future generations to understand the ups, downs, joys, and pain of past civilizations. Much of the knowledge that we possess about previous inhabitants of Earth is through their art. Years from now, paintings and sculptures of slavery will be educational tools available for people in an art museum.

It is obvious that there are some very good points that can be made by both sides of this debate. While slavery was a horrible part of American history, it is still a very important part. It may be difficult for many to think about but it is necessary to keep the pain that these people went through in our minds. Knowing about what went on during this tragic time period can give people a better understanding of human nature and the type of ghastly behavior that we are capable of. Having people learn about history and the human struggle every time they step into an art museum is a luxury that we can’t afford to lose.