Stealing Stars

Riva Harani

FYBA, 2022-2023

As we move further into the 21st century, it becomes more appalling how the Kohinoor as a haunting example of colonization, British exploitation, and the resulting helplessness due to the exploitation (supposedly done away with in the previous century) still looms over us. 

It’s almost satirical, that while I was in the UK, I paid a museum fee to see a treasure taken away from my land, and that was not even an isolated occurrence. Just like the Kohinoor that the British justify not returning owing to “disputes over its origins”, an even larger and precious diamond ‘the Star of Africa’ is held by them. The Star of Africa and the Kohinoor are just a few examples that not only embody the economic drain, but also the cultural history we were robbed off of. If you ever go to London, please consider skipping paying to see a piece of your own heritage.