"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
>>
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>
> --
> 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.
>
> =========================================================
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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).
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