"Okay, how many of you voted for the current president?" a very inappropriate question. ----- Original Message ----- From: "George Garner" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Friday, August 26, 2005 11:00 AM Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Lesson from: Well, I've seen everything else on this list, so why not this? > Rebecca, > > The museum field in general is very polarized – like the rest of the > country – and the majority of museum employees are would probably consider > themselves or their beliefs "liberal." > > I had an experience at the last AAM that emphaiszed that point. There was > a large audience of mostly exhibit developers. The commentator asked, "How > many of you believe we live in an extrememly polarized country?" Almost > every hand shot up. "Okay, how many of you voted for the current > president?" Only a few hands remained in the air – the rest shot down. The > point, of course, was that the country is split almost right down the > middle, and the two sides are very far apart from each other. But we > museum folk are trying to reach /all /audiences, and we have to be aware > of that. > > That said, Rebecca, I think the posters who commented about Mr. Bottoms > article are not intolerant of different views. They are intolerant of the > bigotry and hatred seething throughout Mr. Bottoms' message. This is not > intolerance of a different point of view - this is a reaction against an > ugly, reactionary article that does more harm to this great country and > its many diverse people than the supposed threats the writer outlined. > > Rebecca, I'll discuss issues with someone of a different point of view any > day. I enjoy the discussion. It flexes my mental muscles. :) It's an > excercise in intelligent, productive, thoughtful disagreement. And I will > disagree with people. And we'll argue, and yell, and feel passionate about > our views. But I'll respect the person with an opposing view afterwards. > > Rebecca, I hope I've made the difference clear. Thoughtful, tolerant, and > respectful disagreement between different people is healthy and great and > encouraged. Mr. Bottoms' post promoted hatred, intolerance, and racism. I > cannot respect Mr. Bottoms' post, and I'm not ashamed of the incredibly > angry reaction against it. In fact, I'd be afraid if there wasn't. > > With all respect, > George > > > Rebecca Fitzgerald wrote: > >>Hmmm...it's very interesting that while Mr. Bottoms posted a quoted >>article >>that is certainly controversial and expresses the purported opinion of one >>retired general. But, Mr. Bottoms has not sunk to the depths of some >>members >>of this list. I've seen posts that referred to him as a "creep" or a >>"troll." Most posts dismissed him as a "mad ranter" or an inflammatory >>"baiter." >>Mr. Bottom's post has actually helped expose a serious weakness of this >>list, and one that prevents me from recommending it to my colleagues and >>students. The Museum-L listserv is a very politically polarized list, very >>intolerant of any views other than the extremely liberal one. Folks who do >>express a contrary view are shouted down and characterized as bumpkins or >>ignorant. >>I belong to several successful history listservs that could serve as >>models >>to this group. I'd like to recommend MARHST-L, a maritime history >>listserv. >>This list includes members from every corner of the world, and every >>political leaning. And because of the maritime content, politics and war >>are >>necessarily part of the discussion. The difference is that these >>discussions >>are framed carefully, respectful to ALL members, regardless of nation or >>viewpoint. We would do well to emulate this list. >> >>Successful listservs go beyond civility, to caring. I was in a meeting >>yesterday with colleagues from Iraq and Lebanon. The gentleman from Iraq >>was >>describing some of the country's internal problems that have resulted from >>the war, and the ensuing poverty. He insisted on using his English, and >>used >>the word "careless" to describe the behaviors of some of his countrymen: >>looting, robbing and mugging other Iraqis. His meaning was that they had >>no >>love of their own countrymen. I've thought lots about his use of the word >>and it seems to apply here. We don't mean to hurt with our words, but we >>are >>careless...meaning that we have no love/concern for the folks who are >>reading our posts. >>Donning my asbestos suit! >> >>Becky Fitzgerald >>Susquehanna Museum >> >>========================================================= >>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). >> >> > > -- > George Garner > Director of Exhibitions > Center for History > 808 West Washington, South Bend, IN 46601 > www.centerforhistory.org // (574) 235-9664 > > -------- > > Celebrate Founders Month in August at the Center for History with a visit > to the exhibitions, From Southold to South Bend and New Order on the Land. > > ========================================================= > 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). > ========================================================= 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).