Thank you for this thoughtful take on the subject.  It is easy for
majorities to make these comfortable assumptions.  Think of accessibility
issues that have emerged in the last number of years.  We who are all able
bodied have to actually do work to make sure our institutions include those
who have challenges.  Think of all the years when people with physical
challenges were essentially "uninvited" to public institutions because of
inaccessibility and the comfortable assumptions of the majority.  It took a
long time, but we now go to great lengths to make sure people who are not
part of the comfortably mobile majority, feel invited to our institutions by
acknowledging and accommodating their differences, and we still blow it
because we don't always understand what it feels like.  

This point of view does not mean do not say "Merry Christmas". 



-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Carol Ely
Sent: Thursday, December 01, 2005 3:24 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Christmas vs. Happy Holidays

It's so comfortable to be part of the majority culture that most people
don't even notice it. Everyone is white, everyone is Christian, everyone
is straight, everyone is able-bodied, everyone speaks English as a first
language... Yet you're making a lot of assumptions that, sooner or
later, some other people are going to resent. You are alienating part of
your audience without intending to. Those who are "outsiders" in one way
or another are often artists and creators as well. It's not just a
marketing problem. It goes to the core of the mission of the
organization. Be open to all. Question assumptions. Learn. Include.
Respect all. 

Carol Ely
Louisville

 

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