The only benefit that can come from the "inappropriate" post that
sparked such uproar is that we may see museum and gallery exhibits that
expose and invalidate the kind of jingoistic, racist outlook that the
writer put forth.
Yesterday, with a friend, I visited the Bremen Jewish Museum in Atlanta.
We walked through two exhibits there, one on the early history of comic
book art and another which showed hundreds of photographs relating to
the Jewish experience during Hitler's rise to power, during WW II and
postwar. The exhibits were notable in how they showed that predictors
of the Holocaust were evident, yet many ignored the signs pointing
toward the atrocities that would be committed. My friend and I were
reminded that many nations, including the US, ignored Hitler's threats
to exterminate the Jews in Europe. Even German Jews at the time
couldn't conceive the horrors that were to be visited upon them. In
hindsight, we all know better.
At this time in the US we see attempts to demonize certain groups and to
create societal wedge issues that will lead many Americans to ignore
obvious problems while embracing fears manufactured by many high profile
individuals; the mainstream electronic media seems to be hand-in-hand
with those who would try to pull the wool over our eyes.
Museum curators, in appropriate venues, may help to educate visitors
about what is happening in the names of us all and in the names of the
founding fathers. Although the post in question was offensive to so
many, we should perhaps thank the sender for reminding us that we are
privileged to do the work we choose, so often in the isolation of ivory
towers. In our positions of influence, we among all should know that
history is now, not just something that happened while we were doing
something else.
Humbly, Stan Woodard
Stan Woodard
Communications Director
Atlanta Contemporary Art Center
535 Means Street
Atlanta, GA 30318
404 688 1970 Ext 213
[log in to unmask]
www.thecontemporary.org
-----Original Message-----
From: Rebecca Fitzgerald [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Sunday, August 28, 2005 11:25 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] purpose of listserve
Here! Here! Well said! Ken is ABSOLUTELY right! Thank you for eloquently
phrasing what so many of us think and feel.
Becky Fitzgerald
-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf
Of ken brown
Sent: Sunday, August 28, 2005 5:38 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: purpose of listserve
OK; I can't help, after seeking advice from a wise member of this
listserve. from saying the following:
There are a fair number of folks who have said, with regard the recent
flood of emails on a subject which might be called political, "That
being said, I am still struggling to understand the relevance of this
thread to museums." Also, "Freedom of Speech" has been mentioned often.
To make my point, detailed below, let me provide an example. During
Sunday morning services, a member of the congregation stands up and
makes a short and vehement speech on the merits of butter vs. margarine
in the American diet. The congregation looks at this person as being
slightly addled, considering it an inappropriate place/venue and time
for stating this position, yet the person defends the action as "Freedom
of Speech."
The issue at hand is not Freedom of Speech, but Appropriateness. Many
of us believe that the purpose of this listserve is to share opinions,
and seek advise, on museum operations and issues directly related to
museums. It seems inappropriate, for those of us already overloaded
with emails, to use this listserve for political or social discussion,
for chats or debates on subjects not directly related to the operations
of museums. To declare that there is a legal right of freedom of speech
to do so, without considering the issue of appropriateness of the venue,
appears to be strange at best and grossly inconsiderate at worst.
Is there a reason for belonging to Museum-L? Is that reason to
participate in political and social debate? Is it unreasonable to
recognize the concept of appropriate of place and time? Is it
unreasonable to respect others who participate in Museum-L and their
desire and/or need to keep the list focused to its purpose?
Of the many listerves to which I belong, this is the only place where
the purpose of the listserve is ignored. Please do not spam me back
with the freedom of speech lecture, ignoring the very real concern of
purpose and appropriateness of venue. /ken
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information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail
message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should
read "help" (without the quotes).
If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message
to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read
"Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).
=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:
The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).
If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).
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