‘From the Ivory Tower’? Memory Workers and Mnemonic Practices in Communities

Abstract

Memory work involves mnemonic practices such as remembering, forgetting, and enactment of the past to address past wrongdoing, foster future action, and contribute to a sense of belonging. Working with diversity and plurality of memories, however, necessitates confronting the underlying politico‐ethical considerations and struggles when memory work transcends organizational bounds. This study focuses on the viewpoints of memory workers in communities in order to theorize the various possibilities and limitations of memory work as such. In this work, the politico‐ethical tensions are evident between the requirements of practicing an occupation and those of the communities, who in turn exhibit hierarchies, conflicts, and diversity within and between themselves. I suggest that taking a community‐centric approach to memory work can serve the dynamic integrity of memories, and foster community engagement and empowerment. Memory workers, then, can account for the politico‐ethical struggles over memories by orchestrating interpretive, open, and embodied mnemonic practices to remain in tune with the diverse, disputed, polyvocal, and ever‐unfolding memories. The contributions of this paper carry implications for a more pluralistic and dynamic approach to memory work, suited to our times marked by increased historical consciousness, rival memories, and fierce debates over what and how must be remembered.