Dear George,
just imagine a museum in Istambul, in Bagdad, in Delhi or in Beijing:
Can you expect this political correctness all over the world? I think we
have a right to be incorrect. Museums are open all year round, and other
audiences may be attracted at other times. And why not invite other
religious groups to see what it means having Christmas? Is Christmas not
an essential part of the anglosaxon culture? Were many cultures from
Europe and elsewere not based on christianity? Why should we forget all
that just because of other cultures immigrating to Northern America too?
Do we forget our values for some more sold tickets?
It is a good idea to discuss this matter (earlier would be better).
Christian
"George Garner" <[log in to unmask]> schrieb:
With all due respect Christian, certainly our museums are not limited to
a Christian audience. Yet concentrating on Christmas programming and
marketing them as Christmas programs completely ignores those who do not
celebrate Christmas. We imply -- rightly or wrongly -- how much value we
place on other celebrations and other cultures. It's one thing for us to
say we're open to all, but do we /show /our guests how open we are? Do
we put as much value on different cultures and traditions? Or is the
fact that we don't turn guests away enough?
If we don't show how much we value other traditions we cause division
and make a large segment of our audience feel unrepresented and possibly
unwelcome. By choosing a Holiday celebration instead of simply a
Christmas celebration we can prove that we're responsive and welcoming
to all. The phrase "Happy Holidays" does not devalue Christmas as the
wonderful celebration that it is, yet it embraces and enforces the
validity and beauty of other celebrations at the same time.
Sincerely,
George Garner
George Garner
Director of Exhibitions
Center for History
808 West Washington, South Bend, IN 46601
www.centerforhistory.org // (574) 235-9664
--------
Celebrate Ethnic Heritage Month in November at the Center for History
with a tour of our historic houses, including the Worker's Home, and a
visit to our exhibition /International Trees/.
Dr. Christian Müller-Straten wrote:
> Dear Kim,
>
> what an anxious director... The 24th of December is, since more than
> 1000 years, the official birthday of Jesus Christ (eastern is in
their
> understanding the "higher" event, of course). Christians of all kinds
> are happy about that and give presents to each other. Other religions
> have other high events. We do respect their events and expect them to
do
> the same! Do not retreat to "Holidays". There are many holidays
without
> any religious content, like bank holidays or independance days. This
> would soften the original meaning. Let us defend christmas time,
> christmas carols and christmas feelings - against all ods like
> commercialism or political correctness.
>
> By the way, now does not start christmas time at all, but "Advent" to
> prepare ourselves for the symbolical coming of the Lord. So get back
to
> the roots.
>
> Christian
>
>
>
> "Kimberly Kenney, Curator" <[log in to unmask]> schrieb:
> Hello all,
>
> My Director has asked me to ask the List what your
> official position is at your museum regarding this
> festive time of year.
>
> We have traditionally called our programs "Holiday"
> events this time of year -- Holiday Open House,
> Holiday Tea, Holiday Hearth Cooked Dinner, etc. We
> are fully decorated with about 30 Christmas trees in
> our historic room settings and throughout our "Street
> of Shops" (a life sized indoor town). We do have an
> outreach program exploring the origins of Holiday
> Traditions, including Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, but most
> of our events in house focus around the Christmas
> decorations, visiting with Santa, and that kind of
> thing.
>
> We are wondering if other museums use the word
> "Christmas" in their events, or if you choose to say
> "Holidays."
>
> Thank you for your input!
>
> Kim
>
>
>
>
> Kimberly A. Kenney, Curator
> Wm. McKinley Presidential Library & Museum
> 800 McKinley Monument Dr. NW
> Canton OH 44708 * 330-455-7043
> * NEW EXHIBIT: "Hearth & Home" now open and on view through April
> 2006.
> * SPECIAL EVENT: Join us for our annual Holiday Open House on
> December 2. Members are free, $5 for guests.
>
> "Let us ever remember that our interests are in concord, not
conflict;
> and that our real eminence rests in the victories of peace, not those
of
> war." -- 25th United States President William McKinley
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> __________________________________
> Yahoo! Mail - PC Magazine Editors' Choice 2005
> http://mail.yahoo.com
>
> =========================================================
> 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).
>
>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Von Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security eingefügter Text::
>
> Wenn es eine unerwünschte Mail (SPAM) ist, klicken Sie auf den
> folgenden Link um diese neu zu klassifizieren:
> http://127.0.0.1:6083/Panda?ID=pav_2343&SPAM=true
>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
=========================================================
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).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Von Panda Platinum 2005 Internet Security eingefügter Text::
Wenn es eine unerwünschte Mail (SPAM) ist, klicken Sie auf den
folgenden Link um diese neu zu klassifizieren:
http://127.0.0.1:6083/Panda?ID=pav_2361&SPAM=true
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
Dr. Christian Müller-Straten
Verlag Dr. Christian Müller-Straten / MUSEUMS AGENTUR
Kunzweg 23, 81243 München, T. 089-839 690 43, Fax -44
Mails werden mit täglich aktualisierter PANDA-Software geprüft.
[log in to unmask]
SCHON EINGETRAGEN IN http://www.museum-aktuell.de ?
=========================================================
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).
|
