#repatriate

The Coffee

Girl. Come on. Drinks on the floor are a major no-no. Even if we museum professionals DO break our own rules, we wouldn't be seen doing it in front of museum visitors. Otherwise, how can we say "no drinks in the museum" with ANY sort of weight?

The Audacity of this Caucasity

This woman does not refute claims that she's an expert on West African culture and art (at least, that's what I'm reading from this scene). Now, I'll approach this from two different perspectives:

I think this is a very haughty attitude to have. However, one can't say it's inaccurate. So many assholes think they're the expert on something. They've often weaponized their privilege to push the narrative of the "other." If you aren't familiar with this, think of it this way – many exhibits that discuss Native Americans often refer to these tribes in the past tense. They push the narrative that they are a group that no longer exists. Um, hold up. They still exist, hombre.

This woman does not speak for all us museum professionals. I NEVER claim expertise on anything. This opens you up to critiques and criticisms. It also holds you back from learning more. If you have a very narrow mind and fail to accept new evidence, it stops being about education and starts becoming a narrative that no longer fits... anything. In reality, I think most, respectful, professionals would have attempted to open a dialogue.

In both instances, you would expect this woman to have collaborated with the Benin people to correctly identify the weapon (that later turns out to be Wakandan). If she had, you think she would have mentioned something along the lines of, "...after consulting with a Benin native and expert..." which would have made her save face. However, given how these items were obtained (#repatriate) perhaps they were only relying on the provenance given to them by non-Benin people.

Display

I'm not seeing much identification in this gallery. I *think* I see a small little sign where the masks are but that cannot be enough to accurately describe the pieces. This is supported by the curator (?) who describes the items to Killmonger. You would have thought her reaction would have been different if all this information was provided in the case itself.

Conservation

Okay, I'm hoping someone who does ACTUAL conservation and restoration of artifacts can weigh in.

We are dealing with an element that doesn't exist in reality: VIBRANIUM. In the MCU canon, vibranium is known for its extraordinary abilities to absorb, store, and release large amounts of kinetic energy. Why has no one discovered that this item is so unique? It supposedly dates from the 7th century. Now, this checks out as West Africa has been smelting and working with iron since the 6th century. Most recognize, or have heard of, the Benin Bronzes. These famous works are from the 16th and 17th centuries. While a different material, they have about the same kind of age and wear as this item... yet, this item is supposed to have nearly 1000 years on them? I want to know what the material is listed as in their database. Let's not lie, this thing is in pretty good shape. You don't get an item to look that good without constant care and upkeep. Since it is vibranium, maybe it DOESN'T need as much upkeep... but even that should raise a flag. Are y'all telling me that a museum of this size and budget hasn't used modern means to study it? In addition, we see later that the metal is in perfect condition. Nobody has discovered this with cleanings and annual condition checks? Consider me skeptical.

When they broke the vibranium head off, I died. Ugh. Why?

Repatriation

As soon as Killmonger brings up how unethically artifacts have been obtained (read: stolen) by white colonialists, this would have been the perfect time for her to go: "Yep, you are absolutely right." However, given that she's been made out to be kind of a POS, I guess her reaction is in character.

This is a fictional museum. While it was shot in Atlanta, it was supposed to be The Museum of Great Britain... which doesn't exist. Surmising that this is a stand-in for the British Museum, I can understand the major issue here. I don't work for the BM but I can't imagine that all its workers toe the company line of "we stole this shit fair and square... we've licked it, it's ours." In fact, former trustees have resigned and absolutely tore down the museum and their unwillingness to repatriate cultural items. So, it's not a matter of employees but a matter of the Board of Trustees. You can read more about it here. Suffice it to say, there was a MUCH better way to go about this.

Security

Killmonger makes the comment that they've been keeping an eye on him since the moment he walked in. Yup. I buy that. However, it was an excessive amount... especially since he wasn't actually doing anything wrong, causing any disturbances, etc., it was very *sigh* "...the racists are at it again." However, this was an important narrative tool and I get it. I also get the feeling that he either a) requested to speak with her beforehand, or b) when he got there. Either way, she should have presented herself better if meeting with a patron. Again, that fucking coffee.

Also, where was this type of security when Arthur Harrow from Moon Knight was making out with the painted wall segments?!?!?!?!!!?!??! (see my Moon Knight post for more on that).

******************************

Anyway, this was my breakdown and comments on the museum scene in Black Panther. Let me know if anything else jumped out at your OR if you are a restorer/conservationist and can expand on what I've written/my questions pertaining to the treatment of objects.

A link to a clip of the video is below: