Although I understand the intention, I think uncritically posting photos of Agatha Christie and her imperial / orientalist "travels" through Iraq is irresponsible. For many, Iraqis in particular, this isn't cheerful, it's a horrible memory that shouldn't be appreciated. https://twitter.com/joeflatman/status/1254115948988174337

Agatha Christie, who, let's be clear, is infamous for her racist writing, is using her status as an elite in British society to travel freely around Iraq along with archaeologists *directly* responsible for the trafficking of antiquities out of Iraq.

These trips were exoticized and fetishized dreams of "societies long gone" while Iraqis were killed and oppressed in their fight against British imperalism (imperialism supported and acknowledged by Agatha and her Archaeologist friends).

Whether passively or with intention, people should not act like these are moments in history worthy of admiration or respect. While Agatha Christie wore these clothes, the people of Iraq were starved and deprived of a say in not just their present, but their past.

This isn't a "call out" post or whatever, it's a reminder that there is a long road ahead for people fighting for a more just look at history.

ALSO!!!!! I want to emphasize that the original poster of this thread was not only apologetic but genuinely critical of his own photos and framing!! It’s a good history lesson but don’t be too hard he’s really nice