I have been following the discussions regarding exhibition censorship in the
US with interest, ie; enola gay, flags. I don't know if museums here in
Australia or NZ have ever faced similar dilemas, I am only aware of one
(tippy toeing around sponsors delicate sensibilities). At the Museum of
Victoria we are embarking on a new museum project with the development of
programs begining to ferment. I would be interested to hear from anyone in
this hemisphere who has felt pressure to "smooth out"a program. Also if this
is trend of the future how can we prepare to deal with it? freedom of speech
policies, etc? I don't know if the perceived lack of controversy here means
we are less insistant on a dominant narrative for history or that we don't
make enough controversial exhibitions. Or maybe I've just had my head in the
sand and haven't noticed. Any comments?
Cheers
Leah Breninger
Collection Manager, Social History
Museum of Victoria
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From: owner-museum-l
To: Multiple recipients of list MUSEUM-L
Subject: Re: enola gay
Date: Tuesday, 28 May, 1996 1:05PM

Usual disclaimers apply and then some.

Having seen the Enola Gay exhibition yesterday, I can only say that the
display of "official history" made me sick.

The first panel, which says that material about the decision to drop the
bomb was removed and that now the artifacts "speak for
themselves," was a total crock.  Or rather, 50% crock.  Interpretive
material
was indeed removed, but the artifacts hardly "speak for themselves."  On the
contrary, subsequent text clearly states that the bomb ended the war;
that an invasion would have been fiercely resisted, etc.  And it leaves no
room
for dissent.

I have no position on the historical issues surrounding the decision to
drop the bomb; at any rate, no informed position; which is exactly the
point.  How can we reach an informed position if debate is suppressed?

This is not about whether the Japanese had it coming to them in 1945, nor is
it about whether American veterans get enough respect.  It's about
whether ordinary present-day Americans who go to the Mall can expect to
see something more than official mythography.  And clearly, the anwer is
no.

Andy Finch
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