How do we evolve

How do we evolve. How do we throw off our past belief. How do we resolve our old prejudice and of course ask the last question. Should we ?
There is no doubt that our default position is to do nothing since change is difficult especially changing our selves. The society we live in is dynamic it represents the strong influence of youth and the break away from convention.
Respect for the past is often most valued by those who have had a past and memories which flow from a different era. Can the weight of something more current, more in tune with contemporary ideas not be valued with equal commitment.
The argument about the Elgin Marbles and whether they belong in Greece or, are they better kept in the British Museum. The argument of the Colonial Era being a despotic period. when the British supposedly  corrupted and pillaged the world and, as part of the spoils of this period, removed certain artefacts to London.
The issue is that these items of antiquity should now be returned to their rightful owners. Questions of care are raised.  Is it in the capacity for these nations to step up to the plate, or are we being our usual  patronising self suggesting the can't.  Our Colonial forefathers thought of many of their protectorates in a patronising way and yet of course, growing up believing Colonialism as a representation of its day. 
In many ways Colonialism brought stability and the rule of law to places where non existed, much as the Roman Empire did in Europe and the East, epochs ago. 
I do not feel that the period was bad. It was formative and some of its constitutional influence lingers on in the countries that are now independent. I will not go with the flow, as it were, with the modern trend to trash elements of the past because they do not worship at the alter of "Inclusiveness " or for that matter "Exclusivity"  Nations are different and have travelled their own historical road to reach where they are.
People from those nations have the national baggage which lies deep in the psyche of each person rendering it almost impossible to have a proper meeting of mind. Now this is an anathema to a young person brought up in this country. The youth, drip fed to reassemble the society in such a way that difference is ignored and anyone drawing attention to the suggestion that difference should be acknowledged and celebrated, is demonised.