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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