Comments on: For Museum Leaders Who Want to Do Better

By: Monique Davis

Monique Davis — Fri, 02 Oct 2020 13:20:28 +0000

Andrew and Natanya,

Thank you for this article. The disease of white supremacy culture can only be cured with vulnerable, honest conversations, and a sustained commitment to to the internal work. The work for myself and other BIPOC colleagues, is unlearning the MYTH that we are not valuable. Conversely, the myth my white colleagues must unlearn, is that they are more valuable. The constant learning and unlearning of this destructive myth is the at the core of our work.

By: Mo Fleming

Mo Fleming — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 18:48:48 +0000

I very much appreciate the article. And let us also remember of volunteers of color.

By: Lyn Hovey

Lyn Hovey — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 16:05:50 +0000

Our Boston studio is located within one of Boston’s many neighborhoods of color and we honor our neighborhood and the other neighborhoods of color which provide such a richnes of culture and of life to our whole city.

By: Mark Tullos

Mark Tullos — Mon, 08 Jun 2020 12:32:15 +0000

Point on guidance. Thank you.
This is also an opportunity for administrative leadership to adopt and announce a strong proactive position on staff diversity. We issued a formal position when establishing our museum in the heart of Mississippi. It raised some concerns on the part of some stakeholders and board members who would tell us “Well, I hire based on qualifications not race.” Our position was to proactively “seek out” candidates of color with those qualifications.

In 2019 we participated in a demographic survey of art museum staff, conducted by Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the American Alliance of Museums (AAM). The outcome of the report revealed that our institution’s demographic data contextualized by aggregated data from the field put us ahead of most institutions in the nation regarding diversity – especially in professional leadership. Our Board’s Committee on Directors is aggressively working to build not only a diverse board but one that reflects statewide representation.

An important point I continue to emphasize is that building diversity must be a purposeful mission. It takes dedication and hard work. Frequently you need to recruit. In Mississippi, it was difficult because many of candidates do not apply.

By: Roberto Quinones

Roberto Quinones — Fri, 05 Jun 2020 14:47:29 +0000

Excellent article!
Please consider an update to include a message to the museum board members.
If it “starts at the top” they need to lead by example and set the tone for the culture.

By: Scott Murphy

Scott Murphy — Fri, 05 Jun 2020 05:35:22 +0000

In reply to Joe Correia. Joe, this is beautifully written. It is a great message for all to remember. We all deserve equality. And it is times like this that we need to come together and support those who are in need of it most.

By: Terri McNichol

Terri McNichol — Thu, 04 Jun 2020 22:07:13 +0000

This is a beautifully written and wise article Mr. Plumley and Ms. Khashan. It is an action template for going forward but also importantly makes space right now for compassionate, shared grief.

By: Joe Correia

Joe Correia — Wed, 03 Jun 2020 13:01:27 +0000

The shameless speak their words of fear,
That the speechless are ashamed to hear.

Most of us whisper to different races that we are equal, but few of us shout that we are not. This is why your article, Mr. Plumley and Ms. Khashan, is an important message for those of us who do not live with this hate directed at them, to shout words of equality louder than those who oppose it. Show the people who feel threatened that we may not be going through the same thing, but we support you, and always will, as equally important people of this nation.

Our cultures are different, and our skin ranges in color. But are hearts love, and our minds dream. These are the things that matter. This is what makes us people.

When the shameless speak their words of fear,
We, Humanity, shall answer, “Together, Void of Hate, As One”.