I agree with you Lucy.

You eloquently stated what I was trying to convey through my own e-mail the
other day. Thank you for your thoughtful insight. Culture is the key.

Best,
Fiona Adams

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Lucy Sperlin
Sent: Thursday, June 20, 2002 2:16 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: subject terms for race


Michelle Askew wrote (excerpts):
>
> The discussion of race/ethnicity appears to be a clear indication that
> the implications the subject has on documentation is a reasonable
> front to address.

> Because humans create the categories within these
> terms, and the meanings associated with them, both are socially
> constructed and contribute to human identity, as well as racism.
>
> The movement towards multiculturalism and diversity is a magnificent
> trek; however, when documenting collections, I would argue the benefit
> of attempting to establish some aspect of "race/ethnicity" as related
> to people in photographs or associated with objects.  Even in modern
> times, the multicultural movement and recognition of the value of
> diversity supports the implication that people recognize, acknowledge,
> and wish to be identified and associated with their heritage.
>
> The question would be how best to describe and identify the
> race/ethnicities associated with objects in collections (What was it
> previously known as?

>The discussion concerning the significance of race/ethnicity key words for
the >sake of enabling a reasonable research capability for particular groups
also >raised interesting points.

Arguing over variable definitions that are subject to change may
> be useful to some extent, but the legitimate question about
> documentation appears to be problematic, and based on the various
> questions and viewpoints presented, I am pleased to see that museum
> professionals show concern, and that one took the time to seek
> professional consensus.


Michelle's thoughtful comments prompted me to jump in to this
discussion.

It occurs to me to point out that over 25 years ago (1975) when Robert
Chenhall included a chapter on proposed uniform data fields for many
disciplines in his book "Museum Cataloguing In the Computer Age", he
listed (Data Field 33) as "Cultural Classification" and noted that it
would be assigned to objects with the intent "...of placing them in a
time-space-formal content context." He went on to say, "The names used
...may be broad or narrow in regard to any one of the three dimensions"
but that this would be a category based on the "composite of the three
dimensions rather than a temporal period or style of construction."
(Those were dealt with in other data fields.)

By looking at the race / ethnicity question more as one of culture, it
may become easier to both deal with the problem, and decide terminology,
because it puts it into a realm of fact (time, space & content) rather
than perceptions of race or ethnicity.  In the catalog system I set up
(with Deane Watkins) we developed an authority list for Cultural
Classification that included not only other cultures represented in our
area (examples: Scandinavian, Philippine, Native American, Black
American, etc.) but also Military (OAC Cadets, U S Army, Japanese Navy,
etc.); Religious (Ba'hai, Buddhist, Mennonite, Russian Old Believers,
etc.); Political (Black Panther, Bull Moose Party, KKK, Suffragette,
Communist, Feminist, Peace Movement, etc.) and even Social and Voluntary
Organizations (G.A.R., Masonic, Boy Scout, Panhellenic, W.C.T.U.,
Grange, etc.) because such groups and organizations do develop their own
distinctive culture that is represented artifactually and
photographically.

Using this concept, the "Trekkies" mentioned in an earlier post would
indeed be a useful category, because it is a 'culture' and one that will
inevitably be exhibited, or researched for other purposes.

The shipyard photo described in the original post might include "Chinese
American" (and, yes, I'd list all groups represented).  But, a photo of
Chinese laborer's working on the railroads in the 1880's (same space but
different time and content) would be "Chinese" because those folks still
retained their Chinese culture, even though they were on US soil.

If we work from the premise that the whole reason for cataloguing is to
provide future researchers or exhibitors the ability to retrieve
collection items that are useful, we have an obligation to include this
kind of information. It helps us celebrate and appreciate diversity in a
more and more homogenized world. It is my impression that communities
that have large ethnic populations, and are dealing well with that
diversity (San Jose, where anglos are now a minority, is a good example
) have learned to work together as one for a healthy community, and as
part of that to actively celebrate and share with one another the
heritage of their diverse groups. To do that, it's important to know
what resources are held in the museum.

Perhaps the use of a separate data field for this information, and use
of an authority list (rather than relying on use of a key word) would
create a formality of usage that would mitigate the feelings associated
with using the same terms in a subjectively worded narrative
description.

It is an intriguing topic and, as Michelle, pointed out, worthy of more
discussion, because the nuances are so fascinating. When I think of my
nieces' home in Silicon Valley in which most furnishings are
contemporary American, but with many Indian decor items & a place to
leave shoes at the door, the kitchen with modern pots and pans that
produces mostly ethnically Indian cooking (actually mainly Gujerati but
with Punjabi as well if we were to break things down further), and the
child rearing that is also Indian, but using American baby equipment I
think that if, in 25 years you collected some of that stuff, you would
still want it catalogued "Indian American" so as to provide the ability
to interpret the first generation of the large Indian population of that
region that has come to work in the high tech industries.

Sorry for such a long post, but it is a topic that is not only
intriguing but has considerable import in today's world.

Lucy Sperlin
Heritage Management
Chico, CA

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