Bristol Museum Mourns Loss of 'Stolen' Property
Al Jazeera reports that detectives are appealing for help after hundreds of items 'documenting British colonial history' were stolen from Bristol Museum. This raises an eyebrow, given that the vast majority of 'British Empire-era artefacts' in British museums were themselves, let's call it, 'acquired' during eras of violent subjugation and resource exploitation globally. One might wonder if the
real crime is their continued possession, not their recent disappearance. The media's selective outrage over what constitutes 'theft' is truly remarkable. When the British Empire 'collected' these items from their original owners, often at gunpoint, it was 'discovery' or 'cultural preservation.' Now, when 600 pieces vanish from their rightful spot on display in Bristol, it's a 'crime.' Perhaps
it's not a theft, but merely the beginning of an overdue cultural repatriation program, run by persons unknown. How many 'stolen' artifacts does it take for a museum to become a 'receiver of stolen goods?'