I'm sorry, I don't think it was inappropriate at all. Again, the point
was to emphasize how we, as a group, felt about our country's current
polarization yet a significant majority of the museum professionals in
the room voted against the current president. And when we're working to
create exhibitions, we have to keep that in mind.
That said, I'm very much against the Fox News model that substitutes a
heavily biased, conservative slant to cover for a supposed liberal media
bias. I don't believe we, as museum professionals, should do this
either. But we do need to be conscious of the great divide in the
American electorate and recognize how our guests will bring different
biases, different views, and different experiences with them when they
use our exhibitions. And yes, even Mr. Bottoms may come.
GWG
unlisted wrote:
> "Okay, how many of you voted for
> the current president?"
>
> a very inappropriate question.
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "George Garner"
> <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Friday, August 26, 2005 11:00 AM
> Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Lesson from: Well, I've seen everything else
> on this list, so why not this?
>
>
>> Rebecca,
>>
>> The museum field in general is very polarized – like the rest of the
>> country – and the majority of museum employees are would probably
>> consider themselves or their beliefs "liberal."
>>
>> I had an experience at the last AAM that emphaiszed that point. There
>> was a large audience of mostly exhibit developers. The commentator
>> asked, "How many of you believe we live in an extrememly polarized
>> country?" Almost every hand shot up. "Okay, how many of you voted for
>> the current president?" Only a few hands remained in the air – the
>> rest shot down. The point, of course, was that the country is split
>> almost right down the middle, and the two sides are very far apart
>> from each other. But we museum folk are trying to reach /all
>> /audiences, and we have to be aware of that.
>>
>> That said, Rebecca, I think the posters who commented about Mr.
>> Bottoms article are not intolerant of different views. They are
>> intolerant of the bigotry and hatred seething throughout Mr. Bottoms'
>> message. This is not intolerance of a different point of view - this
>> is a reaction against an ugly, reactionary article that does more
>> harm to this great country and its many diverse people than the
>> supposed threats the writer outlined.
>>
>> Rebecca, I'll discuss issues with someone of a different point of
>> view any day. I enjoy the discussion. It flexes my mental muscles. :)
>> It's an excercise in intelligent, productive, thoughtful
>> disagreement. And I will disagree with people. And we'll argue, and
>> yell, and feel passionate about our views. But I'll respect the
>> person with an opposing view afterwards.
>>
>> Rebecca, I hope I've made the difference clear. Thoughtful, tolerant,
>> and respectful disagreement between different people is healthy and
>> great and encouraged. Mr. Bottoms' post promoted hatred, intolerance,
>> and racism. I cannot respect Mr. Bottoms' post, and I'm not ashamed
>> of the incredibly angry reaction against it. In fact, I'd be afraid
>> if there wasn't.
>>
>> With all respect,
>> George
>>
>>
>> Rebecca Fitzgerald wrote:
>>
>>> Hmmm...it's very interesting that while Mr. Bottoms posted a quoted
>>> article
>>> that is certainly controversial and expresses the purported opinion
>>> of one
>>> retired general. But, Mr. Bottoms has not sunk to the depths of some
>>> members
>>> of this list. I've seen posts that referred to him as a "creep" or a
>>> "troll." Most posts dismissed him as a "mad ranter" or an inflammatory
>>> "baiter."
>>> Mr. Bottom's post has actually helped expose a serious weakness of this
>>> list, and one that prevents me from recommending it to my colleagues
>>> and
>>> students. The Museum-L listserv is a very politically polarized
>>> list, very
>>> intolerant of any views other than the extremely liberal one. Folks
>>> who do
>>> express a contrary view are shouted down and characterized as
>>> bumpkins or
>>> ignorant.
>>> I belong to several successful history listservs that could serve as
>>> models
>>> to this group. I'd like to recommend MARHST-L, a maritime history
>>> listserv.
>>> This list includes members from every corner of the world, and every
>>> political leaning. And because of the maritime content, politics and
>>> war are
>>> necessarily part of the discussion. The difference is that these
>>> discussions
>>> are framed carefully, respectful to ALL members, regardless of
>>> nation or
>>> viewpoint. We would do well to emulate this list.
>>>
>>> Successful listservs go beyond civility, to caring. I was in a meeting
>>> yesterday with colleagues from Iraq and Lebanon. The gentleman from
>>> Iraq was
>>> describing some of the country's internal problems that have
>>> resulted from
>>> the war, and the ensuing poverty. He insisted on using his English,
>>> and used
>>> the word "careless" to describe the behaviors of some of his
>>> countrymen:
>>> looting, robbing and mugging other Iraqis. His meaning was that they
>>> had no
>>> love of their own countrymen. I've thought lots about his use of the
>>> word
>>> and it seems to apply here. We don't mean to hurt with our words,
>>> but we are
>>> careless...meaning that we have no love/concern for the folks who are
>>> reading our posts.
>>> Donning my asbestos suit!
>>>
>>> Becky Fitzgerald
>>> Susquehanna Museum
>>>
>>> =========================================================
>>> Important Subscriber Information:
>>>
>>> The Museum-L FAQ file is located at
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>>>
>>>
>>
>> --
>> George Garner
>> Director of Exhibitions
>> Center for History
>> 808 West Washington, South Bend, IN 46601
>> www.centerforhistory.org // (574) 235-9664
>>
>> --------
>>
>> Celebrate Founders Month in August at the Center for History with a
>> visit to the exhibitions, From Southold to South Bend and New Order
>> on the Land.
>>
>> =========================================================
>> 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).
>>
>
> =========================================================
> 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).
>
--
George Garner
Director of Exhibitions
Center for History
808 West Washington, South Bend, IN 46601
www.centerforhistory.org // (574) 235-9664
--------
Celebrate Founders Month in August at the Center for History with a
visit to the exhibitions, From Southold to South Bend and New Order on
the Land.
=========================================================
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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