Re: the recent posting on a label describing Tlingit-Russian contact:

>"Tlingit culture was sophisticated and diverse, with highly developed art
>and political and religious system. Then they were invaded by the 'civilized'
>Russians and their culture was brutally torn apart by the invaders. Surviving
>Tlingits are now in the process of trying to reclaim their culture." etc.

I have to agree with the friend who found this label objectionable.  The
word "civilized" is unnecessary, and putting it in captions *is* offensive
to the Russians.  However, if you remove that one word, then I have no
problem with the label content (although, as a writer/editor, the passive
voice and state-of-being verbs rile me no end).

Bad things happened in the past.  There's not much we can do about it now,
save try to avoid repeating the same errors.

-- gene

Eugene W. Dillenburg
Coordinator, Special Projects
Exhibits Department
The Field Museum of Natural History
Chicago, Illinois  60605-2496
V: (312) 922-9410 x636
F: (312) 922-6973
E: [log in to unmask]

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