If anyone has any insights on this ad, could you please forward them to
MULTC-ED? Alternatively, could you please let the Smithsonian know that
this kind of reaction has hit the multicultural listserve?
Thanks,
Julia Moore
Director of Exhibitions and Artist Services
Indianapolis Art Center
>Date: Sat, 15 Nov 1997 10:03:06 -0800
>Reply-To: Multicultural Education Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
>Sender: Multicultural Education Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
>From: "Tina D. Bell" <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: smithsonian ad
>X-To: multcult pavillion <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>
>Dear List,
>
>I received this disturbing message, which had been forwarded many times.
>I have not checked it out yet, so I cannot vouch for its authenticity.
>Sometimes these sorts of messages are scams, so I suggest that, if you
>decide to take action, you first inquire to make sure that such an ad did
>actually appear. I would also suggest that protest be addressed to the
>Discover Card people as well as the Smithsonian, since businesses that
>want our dollars are sometimes more responsive than government agencies.
>
>Rather than simply forward, with all the many addresses, I have snipped
>out the parts that tell what happened to send you. If anyone feels the
>need to see the entire message, let me know and I will send it to you.
>------------------------
> From: "Woods, Monique" <WORKGROUP/DANIEL COH/MONIQUEW>
>
> Recently, while using our Nation's finest subway system-METRO, I stumbled
>upon an advertisement for the Smithsonian Institute promoting a Discover
>Card. It really didn't warrant any special attention accept for one small
>caption under the picture of a great African American matriarch-Harriet
>Tubman.
>
> "...Harriet Tubman used elaborate underground railroads to help slaves to
>freedom when all she really needed was 'the card' Now, after reading this
>caption (please note this is an interpretation-almost exact, of the
> On today, 11/12, I phoned the Smithsonian's Dan Stevenson, Special
>Assistant to the Office of Executive Director of Development, who, yet
>amazingly un-bothered by a tax payer's frustration, is VERY familiar with the
>advertisement and has addressed other grievances. He-in a rather 'not
>this again tone,' informed me that the Smithsonian is very aware of the ad's
>effect on certain cultural groups. But since the ad has almost ran its
>course there is no need to remove them; they will be coming down in a "couple
>of weeks." Mr. Stevenson told me that the Smithsonian never tested the
>captions on a focus group.
> Mr. Stevenson (202 786-2699) gladly welcomes letters and/or phone calls
>but prefers that they be directed to David Umansky-Director of Communications
>for the Office of Public Affairs, 900 Jefferson Drive SW, Washington, DC
>20560 (202 357-2627 ext. 106) [log in to unmask] Mr. Umansky is currently on
>travel, and he promises to return my call upon his return (11/17).
>-----------------------
>
>
>
>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
>Tina Bell California State University
> at Stanislaus
>[log in to unmask] Looking for solutions
>
>TRUE JUSTICE BEGINS BEFORE A CRIME HAS BEEN COMMITTED
>~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
>
>
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