Why Western museums should return African artifacts

Intro During the conquest of Africa under European rule in the 1800s artifacts from non-western nations were under the wrongful control and ownership of their colonizers. Recently, there has been a demand for all artifacts housed in museums to return to their place of origin. Many artifacts in Western museums and libraries are believed to have been seized over the ages by conquest and colonialism. Anthropologists, curators, and private collectors have looted African artifacts during both war and peace. The act was justified as an act of benevolence; as a way to save dying knowledge. Museums have begun to acknowledge that some of their collections have uncomfortable histories linked to colonial violence. In spite of this, Britain does not give up its looted treasures. David Cameron, the then-Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, had said of Greece's Elgin Marbles and India's Koh-i-Noor diamond: "No, I certainly do not believe in returnism.". I don’t think that is sensible.”