BIPoC-Only Day at the Dortmund Museum: Progressive or questionable?
The Dortmund Museum caused a stir in 2023. The reason: a visitor day that exclusively for BIPoC, i.e.Black, indigenous and other people of color, was reserved.
The idea behind it was actually quite clear protected space for BIPoCs where people who experience racism can view the exhibition ‘’This is colonial’’ in peace and without unpleasant looks, comments or the need for explanations.
Many thought it was great, others found it rather controversial.
What was going on on the Internet
As expected, things got heated online. Some quickly came up with the thought: „This is reminiscent of segregation.“ Others even spoke of a „racism scandal“. And of course, the classic „How would you feel about that?” was also dropped.
In short, it was loud and often very imprecise.
Why the comparison with segregation doesn't fit
At first glance, many understand the reflex: „Segregation by skin color = bad.“
But historical segregation, e.g. in the USA or South Africa, was fundamentally different. It was enforced by law, The "white man's power" was used for systematic oppression and was intended to secure power for white people in the long term.
The BIPoC-Only Tag pursues the exact opposite:
The aim is to provide protection for People who still feel the consequences of colonial violence today and give them a moment to engage openly with the exhibition without stress.
This has nothing to do with exclusion, but with Care and self-determination.
Race Theory for everyday life
In an older video from Hsaron was about how Race Theory helps us to understand racism as a system and not just as a simple insult or outright hostility.
Race Theory advocates in-depth inquiries:
- Which structures favor whom and since when?
- Why do we often no longer even notice subtle racism?
- What reflexes have we learned without realizing it?
If we apply this to the museum debate, it becomes clear that the uproar is not happening in isolation in a vacuum. It is part of a long history and a larger system.
„Reverse racism“ or „reverse racism“ why the term is misleading
The anti-discrimination expert Ciani-Sophia sums it up pretty well:
„There is no such thing as reverse racism.“
White people can experience discrimination - that's true so far.
But Racism as a system was not created to oppress white people, but to oppress and dominate Black and Afro-German people and other marginalized groups, economically, politically and culturally.
Taking this difference into account makes the whole discussion much more transparent.
You can find more information on reverse racism in our Question tree.
What the museum itself says
According to the museum, the aim is for BIPoC to be able to move through the exhibition without feeling observed or obliged to explain.
Many people are familiar with those little moments - a comment, a look, a thoughtless word - that can make everything instantly unpleasant.
The exclusive day was intended to prevent exactly that and create space for Peace, empowerment and honest exchange offer.
What do we take away from this?
No matter how you feel about the subject:
The BIPoC-Only Day brings important questions to the table - about responsibility, history and how we want to deal with each other today.
A few thought-provoking ideas:
- Has there ever been a racist system that oppressed white people?
- If confronting white violence is uncomfortable, does staying silent really make the problem better?
- Is a single day really a lasting loss for people who can go the other six days without hurdles?
- And for BIPoC: Do you feel supported and seen by such initiatives?
Sources
https://www.monopol-magazin.de/museum-safer-space-kommentar