Genocidal Massacres
Genocidal Massacres Were Employed as a Strategy in the Colonization of Indigenous Territories Around the World.
Targeted Elimination of Indigenous Communities was a Fundamental Aspect of Colonization
European colonization is generally considered to have begun around 1500, following the Age of Discovery. This period saw European powers, particularly Spain and Portugal, take the lead in establishing colonies, initially in the Americas, driven by motivations such as trade, wealth, and the spread of Christianity.
In the 16th Century, the first European empires began to take shape, with Spain and Portugal dominating the Americas. Between the 17th and 18th Centuries, other European powers, like the Netherlands and Britain, joined the colonial race, establishing colonies in various parts of the world, including North America and India.
Driven by industrialization and population growth, Europe launched a new wave of colonial expansion, often called New Imperialism in the 19th Century, particularly in Africa and Asia.
Colonialism began to decline in the 20th Century following World War II, as independence movements gained momentum and the United Nations championed decolonization.
Conducted under the pretense of Indigenous lands being deemed “empty” to justify their acquisition, genocidal massacres were employed as a strategy in the colonization of Indigenous territories around the world.
The International Community has, to date, not undertaken any Truth Commission or built a memorial for the genocide of Indigenous peoples. It overlooks the historical violence inflicted on Indigenous communities during territorial expansion that resulted in the deaths of millions. Likewise, former colonial powers have neglected to honor their victims of colonial genocide.
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The peoples of the United Nations have reinforced their commitment to fundamental human rights, the dignity and worth of every individual, and the equal rights of men, women, and children as stated in the Charter. Placing those guilty of murder, torture, and other historical crimes above the law and beyond accountability constitutes a serious breach of international obligations and erodes the rule of law.
While acknowledging the inherent dignity and equal, inalienable rights of all individuals is essential for establishing freedom, justice, and peace globally, most United Nations member states have expressed a desire to address the concerns of colonization victims and their descendants.
While the global community has committed to working alongside the United Nations to promote universal respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, those who benefited greatly from the shameful act of colonization display an utter betrayal by denying their responsibility in the face of valid accusations. This denial only deepens division, and a world torn apart cannot envision a future if it fails to reconcile with its past.
Whereas the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a common standard of achievement for all people, both among the peoples of Member States and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction, including every individual and every organ of society, the refusal to address unatoned-for crimes or to acknowledge their role in historical oppression bears resemblance to complicity. This refusal forecloses the pursuit of justice and accountability, delegitimizes the emotional wounds of victims’ descendants, and thwarts their rights to truth and effective remedy.
While ignoring and showing disdain for human rights have led to horrific acts that have shocked the conscience of humanity, addressing historical injustices and the legacy of colonization is essential for peacemaking and represents both a fiduciary and moral obligation.
Therefore, keeping the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in mind as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and nations, the World Colonization Memorial is proclaimed to honor the inherent dignity and worth of the blood of generations of men, women, and children of every race, faith, language, and culture, drawn from every corner of the earth—those who were killed during the horrific chapter of colonization.
WORLD COLONIZATION MEMORIAL MUSEUM
Mission
World Colonization Memorial Museum’s mission is to restore and make visible suppressed, destroyed, or underrepresented histories of colonization worldwide. It will provide a comprehensive compilation of world history, focusing on the legacy of colonization.
A reflection space honoring those who have worked to challenge colonization around the globe
World Colonization Memorial Museum (WCMM) will provide an in-depth examination of colonization, covering topics such as the Age of Discovery and Exploration, the conquest and subjugation of Africa, the Americas, the Middle East, Asia, and the brutal Transatlantic Slave Trade and its impact. The museum will also address the various genocidal wars that occurred during the decolonization process. Through films, images, and first-person narratives, visitors will experience detailed and compelling interactive content.
WCMM will provide an immersive experience, featuring cutting-edge technology, world-class art, and crucial scholarship to explore the dark aspects of world history.
Alongside the world’s first and only international memorial dedicated to the victims of colonization, the museum presents a unique opportunity for visitors to confront challenging aspects of our past.
Colonization in the Americas, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe will feature five interconnected wings in the Museum, showcasing hundreds of sculptures and original animated short films narrated by award-winning artists worldwide.
A dedicated wing of the museum will examine the economics of colonization, the role of the League of Nations, and later the United Nations Trusteeship Council, in the violent enslavement of Indigenous peoples in Trust Territories. It will address issues such as sexual violence against women and children in the colonies, the commodification of people, and the desperate efforts made by colonized individuals to achieve independence.
An extensive exhibit on the brutal assassinations of prominent pro-independence leaders worldwide will document a detailed timeline, short films, and first-person narrative accounts.
The museum’s extensive content on various wars of independence will be located in a wing that explores the role of media during the era of racial terror resulting from colonization.
The final words of war victims will highlight the suffering caused by colonization, affecting entire communities. Details about the starvation of children will help visitors grasp the extent of terror and violence endured by many families.
Visitors will hear firsthand accounts from the descendants of murdered pro-independence leaders and those who lost family members during some of the most devastating wars for independence. They will also learn about the courageous efforts to challenge colonization led by legendary decolonization activists. This includes figures such as Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, an Indian lawyer and anti-colonial nationalist known for his nonviolent resistance in the successful campaign for India’s independence from British rule, ,,, and Kwame Nkrumah, the father of modern Pan-Africanism (not exclusively).
WCMM will emphasize courageous decolonization movements that challenged colonization and forced colonial powers to respond. This includes the Wars of Scottish Independence, the American Revolutionary War, the Haitian Revolution, the Latin American Wars of Independence, the European Revolutionary Wars of Independence, the Middle East and Asia Revolutionary Wars, and the numerous wars of independence across Africa.
The portrayal of colonization as a widespread manifestation of racism will be compellingly illustrated through a collection of actual signs, artifacts, memorabilia, and notices from across the globe for visitors to see, read, and experience.
Visitors will learn about significant civil wars worldwide and how their origins stem from the way colonial powers established national boundaries, often forcefully merging different religious and ethnic groups.
A discussion on the disenfranchisement of Black soldiers will highlight the Forgotten Colonial Forces of the World Wars, a crucial element in how equal rights were undermined during the colonization era.
The Berlin Conference of 1884 formalized European claims to African territories and established rules for colonization. This was followed by the League of Nations Mandate, which legalized colonization under international law. The United Nations Security Council has also played a role in perpetuating a legalized caste system, which is one of the most significant legacies of colonization. The WCMM will showcase controversial timelines of colonization and outrageous international agreements that have shocked humanity’s conscience.
WCMM will have a Reflection Space that honors hundreds of people who have worked to challenge colonization.
In a grand space featuring world cultures and powerful imagery, the history of struggle will inspire everyone to reflect on how we can make a difference.
The museum will feature a world-class art gallery displaying major works by celebrated artists from around the globe. We will have a gallery that showcases works created exclusively for WCMM. The entire collection will be curated in relation to the museum’s historical narrative.
Collaborations with Western and non-Western world music, including quasi-traditional, traditional, and intercultural forms, will explore the roles and significance of arts, music, and dance in global decolonization efforts.
As a physical location and outreach program, WCMM will serve as a catalyst for education about the legacy of colonization and racial inequality, fostering truth and reconciliation that will lead to genuine solutions for contemporary issues.
Let's Unveil the Ugly Parts of Our History
Something unjust happened around the world that too few people have discussed. WCM acknowledges that, despite the impacts of colonization, the world can still become a better place. However, if we want to move forward, we must speak the truth, recognize the darker aspects of our history, and commit to reconciliation and healing.
