I keep comparing museum professionals with doctors: the AMA was organized,
then reorganized, so that the medical profession could command the respect
and salaries they felt they deserved. Their tactics included forcing
membership on doctors; lobbying for, and then restricting, legal licensing
requirements; ostracizing those who did not subscribe to rules about
treatment and charges; and fighting like cats whenever they felt their
territory or status was impinged. Many of their strategies don't apply to
the modern era, or to the museum world. For instance, unlike the AMA of
1900, we already have, and insist on, strong professional credentials. But
I have two questions: how universal is membership in the AAM? and, how much
of hard***es are museum professionals willing to get about this issue? As a
group, we're just not the Brutus types. Can you see ostracizing a colleague
for accepting a low salary? hmmm. Are we willing to see small museums close
because they can't afford us? unlikely. (they do close for lack of funds,
but if the electricity is paid, there's usually someone who will staff the
joint.) Will we refuse entry to the glutted field? Curator Medallions? I
think that may be illegal now. So, what do we expect the AAM to do, in lieu
of getting tough? Universal Museum Insurance? Single-payer Historical Plan?
Could it happen? -S

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