On Mon, Nov 23, 2009 at 1:00 PM, Ken Mark <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Dawn,

I, too, have been deleting most of the responses to this thread so as not to respond to this discussion. But, I cannot refrain any more. I agree with your sentiments word for word.

I am the Director of a small museum on the campus of Messiah College. Diversity is a common theme on college campuses and within our industry as well. If we, as professionals, adhere to diversity, then we certainly must entertain all thoughts, digest each one and hopefully come out with an understanding and respect for that particular viewpoint. If we cannot do that, then our governing body needs to create many workshops on the theme of diversity so we can begin to understand what we say, when we say our museums are diverse.

Ken Mark

Director, Oakes Museum of Natural History

Grantham, PA 17027

Kenneth D. Mark
Director of the Oakes Museum

Messiah College
One College Ave. Box 3029
Grantham, PA 17055

Telephone: 717-691-6082
FAX: 717-691-6046
Email: [log in to unmask]

>>> Mike Csontos <[log in to unmask]> 11/23/2009 12:38 PM >>>

Now THAT"S disturbing!

As a result of this header I scanned all the posts on the "responses" thread and found nothing I would regard as hate speech. In the response quoted, a personal opinion was honestly disclosed with a statement on how it influenced that museum's policy. Elsewhere the discussion seemed quite reasonable.

A public museum, especially state or federal chartered, should reflect and respect community values. How does one do that when the community is split into groups that are "deeply disturbed" by any mention of views opposed to their own?

Is it responsible behavior to avoid recognizing the issue altogether?

It is unlikely that discussion will resolve the issues but they should be kept in mind, discussed, and thought about so one will be prepared to address them when they arise.

We need to regard language as a communications medium, not an assault weapon, even if it takes an effort to do so.

Mike Csontos

Assistant Librarian

Antique Wireless Museum

Bloomfield, NY

In a message dated 11/23/2009 9:23:47 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, [log in to unmask] writes:

I totally agree & appreciate your remarks.

Barb Magers

Barb Magers

Curatorial Research Assistant

Still National Osteopathic Museum

National Center For Osteopathic History

800 W. Jefferson

Kirksville, MO 63501

ph: 1- 660-626-2359 ext.2558

fax: 1-660-626-2984

[log in to unmask]

>>> Dawn Distasio <[log in to unmask]> 11/22/2009 4:57 PM >>>

Dear Colleagues,

I have REALLY tried my best to hold off and not contribute to this discussion, as I feel it has gone off topic. However, with this latest email by Mr. LaGreca I cannot hold my tongue any longer. As a Christian, and as a museum professional, I am deeply disturbed and angry by the hateful speech that has been used during this thread. Every religion has it's own creation story, and it should be respected. Should we be forced to take one view as "gospel" (pardon the word choice) - of course not. But to dismiss, and look down upon, someone else's views because of your personal beliefs (and that goes for whatever side you are on or belief you may hold) is not right either. Furthermore, to regard them as "jokers", on a professional forum, is degrading. And I direct my words not only at Mr. LaGreca, but at all who have participated. I feel your speech is no better than the conservatives you rally against. (For the record, before anyone formulates an opinion of my motives, I happen to be a liberal.) We all have a right to our own personal beliefs. We also have a right to disagree with each other. However I feel it can be done in a respectful manner without name calling.

As museum workers we must strive to represent and respect people of all nations, religions, cultures and creeds. There is no place for intolerance of any kind in our field.

Respectfully,

Dawn Distasio

From: Scott LaGreca <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Sat, November 21, 2009 7:26:38 AM
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] museum responses to the Evolution/Creationist debate

Dear Friends & Colleagues,

Thank you for all of your comments. Some of you have written to me
personally, and some have replied to the list. I've taken the best
emails (in my opinion!) and made notes. I especially like the
suggestions for introducing an element of humor into my responses to
visitors.

Tomorrow is our film "Flock of Dodos" and I'm basically going to begin
the program with a short introduction, saying (1) the reason we're
showing this film is that it's the 150th anniversary of Darwin's famous,
world-changing book, On The Origin of Species. And (2) Give some
background information about the film--and how (in my opinion) it's a
fairly even-handed, fair representation of both sides of the
evolution/creationism debate.

I'll go on to say that I realize that we appreciate that there are many
opinions and beliefs about evolution--but we're not going to debate them
here. [Personally, I'm not prepared to hold a "brown bag discussion" or
"debate" after the film--although many list subscribers have suggested
this]. I'll close my comments by saying that if anyone would like to
help organize a "public forum" at our museum to discuss the
evolution/creationist debate, to be held at some point in the future,
then please see me after the film.

Before I close this email I must point out that I was trained as an
evolutionary biologist (in botany) and (personally) I have a very small
appetite for creationism or intelligent design arguments. If it were up
to me, I would not provide a forum for those jokers in any institution I
worked in. I don't feel that creationists should be given the time of
day--their arguments are not scientific; indeed, they are dangerous, in
the sense that they threaten undermine decades of scientific research
and send society back into the Dark Ages. I believe that there is, in
fact, no "debate" worth having over this issue.

But of course, I'd never make my views "policy" into any place I worked
:)

Thanks again to everyone,

Scott

Scott LaGreca, PhD
Natural Science Coordinator
Berkshire Museum
39 South Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201 USA
TEL 413-443-7171, ext. 17
FAX 413-443-2135
[log in to unmask]

Ring in the Holidays with the 25th annual Festival of Trees at the
Berkshire Museum from Nov. 14 to January 3, 2010. This year's Festival
is proudly sponsored by Greylock Federal Credit Union.

For more event information please visit www.berkshiremuseum.org

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