Yale Temporarily Removes Plaque Honoring Controversial Missionary Following Clamor of Indigenous Groups
One of the text describes Bingham a "civilizer."
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Yale has temporarily pulled off Hiram Bingham's plaque after an IPO (Indigenous Peoples of Oceania) student group criticized its offensive description.
The 19th-century missionary to Hawaii, also known as Reverend Hiram Bingham II, was described with words that were offensive to Native Hawaiian culture.
The IPO argued that the language perpetuated colonial ideologies, and therefore, has campaigned for its removal, per Yale Daily News. Their efforts were supported by the Andover Newton Seminary and even descendants of Bingham himself, leading to the temporary removal while future steps are being considered.
Texts in Hiram Bingham's Plaque
Previously shown at the Schwarzman Center, the texts in the plaque described Bingham as a navigator, civilizer, and bible translator. For IPO members, the term 'civilizer' is insulting and reflects the colonialist attitude of the USA. While Bingham has had an impact in the Pacific, IPO, the seminary, and the missionary's descendants believe Yale has the chance to make a historical decision that will respect Indigenous groups.
For the IPO group, finding out about the removal of the plaque with no communication on what the decision had been was frustrating since Yale took it to themselves without noticing any members. Yale continues to receive criticism for failing to involve the group in further steps, such as determining what should replace the plaque's place.
To address the issue, IPO shared on Instagram that they plan to launch a digital archive campaign to educate the public about the history of the Pacific and Yale's involvement, which includes short videos, infographics, and workshops that let the audience understand the legacy of colonialism and its lasting impacts on Indigenous groups.
The campaign is considered "personal," and some members view this advocacy as a way to heal and reclaim their cultural heritage that has been given to white missionaries.
