ABSTRACT

Public memory of slavery and resistance has been contentious terrain in Jamaica. During the island’s more than three centuries of British rule, memorials reflected an imperial narrative in which emancipation was the outcome of a benevolent crown, reflected in statues and venerations of monarchical figures. Independence in 1962 changed this practice. New memorials honoured prominent black Jamaicans. Independence also created charged debates over state and public representations of Jamaican history. This essay reflects on these matters, and the lessons they hold for global discussions on how the history of slavery should be publicly remembered.

摘要

奴隶制和抵抗运动的公众记忆一直是牙买加有争议的地形。在岛上三个多世纪的英国统治时期，纪念馆反映了帝国主义的叙事，其中解放是仁慈王冠的产物，体现在君主制雕像和朝圣者的崇拜中。1962年的独立改变了这种做法。新的纪念馆向杰出的黑人牙买加人致敬。独立还引发了有关牙买加历史的州和公众代表的激烈辩论。本文对这些问题进行了反思，以及它们为全球讨论如何公开纪念奴隶制历史提供的经验教训。