Dear List,
You know, it is amazing how things get twisted. I posted the original
editorial from Gordon Sinclair entitled "America: The Good Neighbor" because
someone sent it to me and I found it uplifting. I sure as you-know-what
needed uplifting this week. I thought I would pass it on so that maybe
others would find it uplifting as well, especially to those colleagues in
NYC and DC. In times of crisis, it is good to know you are not alone.
First, I am attacked and called stupid. Gee, thanks. Not that you have any
right to judge, Miss Svensson; after all nobody died and named you God (and
don't forget, a lot of people died this week). I, however, forgive you.
Not because I am perfect or a Christian (I am neither) or an American, but
because it is the right thing to do to make this world a better place for
all of us. And, I believe the duty to make the world a better place should
be above any religious or political agenda or belief. Due to cultural
differences, I think that you may not have understood what others did:
I was briefly uplifted again by the responses of others who understood that
the uplifting aspects of the editorial (correctly stated that it is only an
opinion and not a statement of fact) certainly outweighed the negatives of
one historical misquote. I thank those of you who responded and hope that
it uplifted your heart for a brief moment as it did mine. We are not alone.
All of humanity is with us. I hope that our leaders respond with the same
humanity, though I fear they will not.
Secondly, I understand Mr. Mulligan's rage. I think it is something we
Americans have all felt at some level this week. I think it only natural
that at some point, when provoked, people explode. Perhaps it was not
professional, but it was human. No apology is needed. I do hope that Mr.
Mulligan's family and friends are OK, though I know that probably someone he
knows is not. My thoughts are with all of you who lost so much this week.
(We all lost something this week.)
Thirdly, the editorial was originally written concerning Vietnam, but its
core message was appropriate for this week: America needs our help and we
should offer it readily, as that is exactly what would happen if the tables
were turned. We have natural disasters yearly in this country, but seek no
outside help. We have slums in our cities that look like third world
countries, yet we still help third world countries. The message stands.
Lastly, this entire discussion concerns museums because it concerns our
culture and our people. And though many Museologists would have you believe
that the "reason for being" of museums is its collection of objects, I would
like to point out that it is actually people. It is the people who used the
object, created it, visit it, preserve it, interpret it, collect it and
value it who are the reason for museums. For without them, we would have no
objects. And as preservers of our culture, the events of this week will
forever alter that culture and how we do business. Furthermore, I find it
very hard to think that focusing on our work without taking the time (and
any forum available) to offer our support to colleagues is, quite frankly,
inhumane and unprofessional.
I have in no way intended anything negative by my original posting or this
one. It is my hope that all of you will find something uplifting in the
days and weeks to come, and I for one, hope you will pass it along.
Sincerely,
Lori Allen,
Grad Student, UMSL
-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On
Behalf Of Aaron Marcavitch
Sent: Saturday, September 15, 2001 7:26 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: false rumours was: America: The Good Neighboor
Ok folks,
Lets back up here. I have four friends in NYC. None were hurt, but they
were there. That is my
qualification statement. Furthermore, I agree this is a horrible tragedy.
However, all the
reply's I have seen to Ms. Svensson's e-mail are a bit out of control.
I am going to say that
1. Ms. Svensson did not use obscenity, she quoted it. That doesn't make it
right, but she did say
shortly after that remark that we should make sure our facts are right
before we go nuts. Perhaps
this indicates the difference in Europe and America in our unfailing
patriotism even in the face
of many facts that indicate we might not be the golden land we think we are
at these times.
2. Mr. Mulligan indicated that many of the elements in the editorial are
true. I would concur.
However, the point of his e-mail was lost in the accusations. I dont think
this is appropriate.
Ms. Svensson, although it could have been done differently, was just
indicating that we make sure
we check our facts. There was no need to lash out at her.
3. The orignal e-mail was not in reference to anything that happened on
Tuesday. It has to do
with the other countries during the Vietnam war and their opinion of that
police action. Dont
confuse the two.
4. Another point is that we haven't asked for help in this situation, but we
have gotten it. The
current situation is entirely different than from the time of the original
editorial. How does
this situation have anything to do with draft-dodgers? Do we think other
countries are gloating
over our situation? Do we really think Ms. Svensson is? REALLY? Please
people. We are angry and
taking it out on others. Dont do that. Its unprofessional.
5. Lastly, and most importantly, to the original poster and to those who
follow, I must ask how
this relates to museums. I know that this list has from time to time
changed topics, but I think
at this time, there is no need for this type of discussion. Let us turn our
attention to our work
and our museums. Let us give help to those who need it on our personal
time. This list isn't for
that type of discussion.
This response will probably get me flames. It might even cause me trouble
getting a job next
year. But I for one am a bit tired of this anger.
Thanks for listening.
Aaron Marcavitch
Tennessee
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