Lisa Kennedy
 

When Your Time Comes to Query the Framing of History. My Advice is lean into your Histories (2024)

 

“As I enquire more about African histories before European Colonisation (19th century onwards), from my perspective, there is too much focus on thinkers from the West. 

Unfortunately, history within the Western tradition is predicated on what was documented (as in written) before. Despite the evidence of many Western thinkers embodying racist, discriminatory and problematic ways of being. 

Instead of dedicating more time debating what is already known about those limited modes of thought, let us actively highlight those caretakers of knowledge whose flowers are overdue. 

To the historians (independent and within academia - I see you Bolanle Awe and Issac Samuels). To our parents, grandparents and other people we share ties with (chosen / familial) whose stories throughout our lives were actually the foundation of oral histories. Hence, in this letter to my child, I am urging them to question how African history before European colonisation has been framed in Western schools of thoughts (until present). But more importantly, to welcome the fact that history cannot be explained or understood in only one way. 

By leaning in to how history has persevered in their cultures, my child will hopefully find their way to make sense of the past by being supported in their way of looking.”

 

Lisa Kennedy is a curator, researcher and writer who advocates for the inclusion of wider perspectives within museums and the study of history. Working with museums, galleries and cultural spaces, Lisa’s research interests focus on better understanding the relevance of these spaces to the widest audience possible. Lisa’s practice centres on improving access to history, art, and culture from a socially engaged lens, while exploring accountability models and the role of user research. 

You can read some of Lisa's thoughts on her blog, check out inspiring people she's come across on Instagram or see what she's been working on lately.  

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