Student Type
Graduate
University
Old Dominion University
Country
United States
Document Type
Conference Paper
Description/Abstract
Normative approaches to both the atrocities of World War II and Stalinist communism have been established transnationally in European memory, yet decisive measures to normalize responses to the atrocities colonialism remain elusive. It is unquestionable that the process lags far behind, yet incremental steps have and are being taken. To evaluate attempts at establishing norms regarding colonialism transnationally in Europe, the particularly complex case study of France and Algeria is considered. Analysis of postings from both the French embassy in the Algiers and the Algerian embassy in Paris are utilized assess the potential for transnational colonial memory practices to emerge and create new conceptions of collective historical memory and normative processes. The evidence derived the postings is used to identify actors and their desired outcomes, the ways state and transnational behavior is being shaped, the successes and failures, and the possible future of transnational colonial memory practices. Steps are being taken, but the complexities of colonial relationships and their legacies make a consensus on collective memory difficult and, as a result, slow advancement toward norms. The case study analysis leads to the conclusion that to achieve success promoting new normative attitudes, behaviors, and memory practices transnationally, a majority consensus on collective memory must be reached at both the national and transnational levels regarding colonialism and will be a measured process.
Disciplines
European Languages and Societies | History | Race, Ethnicity and Post-Colonial Studies
DOI
10.25776/bsh0-av76
Session Title
Colonialism: Past, Present, and Future
Location
Webb Center, Isle of Wight Room
Start Date
2-10-2023 12:00 AM
End Date
2-10-2023 12:00 AM
Upload File
wf_yes
Included in
European Languages and Societies Commons, History Commons, Race, Ethnicity and Post-Colonial Studies Commons
The End of Amnesia? Transnational Collective Memory and Memory Practices and European Colonialism
Webb Center, Isle of Wight Room
Normative approaches to both the atrocities of World War II and Stalinist communism have been established transnationally in European memory, yet decisive measures to normalize responses to the atrocities colonialism remain elusive. It is unquestionable that the process lags far behind, yet incremental steps have and are being taken. To evaluate attempts at establishing norms regarding colonialism transnationally in Europe, the particularly complex case study of France and Algeria is considered. Analysis of postings from both the French embassy in the Algiers and the Algerian embassy in Paris are utilized assess the potential for transnational colonial memory practices to emerge and create new conceptions of collective historical memory and normative processes. The evidence derived the postings is used to identify actors and their desired outcomes, the ways state and transnational behavior is being shaped, the successes and failures, and the possible future of transnational colonial memory practices. Steps are being taken, but the complexities of colonial relationships and their legacies make a consensus on collective memory difficult and, as a result, slow advancement toward norms. The case study analysis leads to the conclusion that to achieve success promoting new normative attitudes, behaviors, and memory practices transnationally, a majority consensus on collective memory must be reached at both the national and transnational levels regarding colonialism and will be a measured process.