Strange spaces of mediated memory

Sites commemorating the trans-Atlantic slave trade, such as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in The Gambia, can become 'strange spaces' where historical narratives clash with mediated memories from popular culture. A study found that familiarity with the novel Roots (1976) led participants to experience confusion and frustration when reconciling its imagined geographies with the actual spatial configurations of these heritage sites. This suggests that media-driven interpretations can complicate rather than enhance the understanding of historical narratives at such sites, highlighting the challenges of balancing cultural memory with educational heritage preservation.

Grek-Martin, J. (2020). Strange spaces of mediated memory. Locating Imagination in Popular Culture, 247–264. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003045359-20