British Museum faces backlash over colonial legacy, social media gaffes

The British Museum in London is facing renewed criticism over its colonial-era collections and handling of restitution demands. In February 2024, influencer Mike Milfort launched a campaign for the return of two basalt statues taken from Rapa Nui (Easter Island) in 1868, including Hoa Hakananai'a ('the stolen friend'). The museum's Instagram was flooded with comments calling it a 'museum of stolen art,' leading to comment censorship. Chilean President Gabriel Boric supported the restitution in a January 2024 interview, and former island governor Laura Tarita Alarcón Rapu had requested the return in 2018. The museum cites the British Museum Act of 1963 as preventing removal of objects. During London Fashion Week, designer Erdem Moralioglu held a show in the Parthenon Gallery, prompting Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni to accuse the museum of disrespecting Phidias's masterpieces and the universal values they represent. In March 2024, the museum posted a meme promoting its exhibition 'Legion: Life in the Roman Army' by suggesting single women appear 'confused' to attract men, sparking mansplaining accusations; the post was deleted. The museum has no TikTok profile due to its poor reputation among younger generations.