Comments on: For Museum Leaders Who Want to Do Better https://www.aam-us.org/2020/06/02/for-museum-leaders-who-want-to-do-better/ American Alliance of Museums Thu, 02 Mar 2023 14:16:46 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 By: Monique Davis https://www.aam-us.org/2020/06/02/for-museum-leaders-who-want-to-do-better/#comment-131681 Fri, 02 Oct 2020 13:20:28 +0000 https://www.aam-us.org/?p=113200#comment-131681 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.

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By: Mo Fleming https://www.aam-us.org/2020/06/02/for-museum-leaders-who-want-to-do-better/#comment-102188 Wed, 10 Jun 2020 18:48:48 +0000 https://www.aam-us.org/?p=113200#comment-102188 I very much appreciate the article. And let us also remember of volunteers of color.

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By: Lyn Hovey https://www.aam-us.org/2020/06/02/for-museum-leaders-who-want-to-do-better/#comment-102156 Wed, 10 Jun 2020 16:05:50 +0000 https://www.aam-us.org/?p=113200#comment-102156 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.

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By: Mark Tullos https://www.aam-us.org/2020/06/02/for-museum-leaders-who-want-to-do-better/#comment-101650 Mon, 08 Jun 2020 12:32:15 +0000 https://www.aam-us.org/?p=113200#comment-101650 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.

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By: Roberto Quinones https://www.aam-us.org/2020/06/02/for-museum-leaders-who-want-to-do-better/#comment-100995 Fri, 05 Jun 2020 14:47:29 +0000 https://www.aam-us.org/?p=113200#comment-100995 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.

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By: Scott Murphy https://www.aam-us.org/2020/06/02/for-museum-leaders-who-want-to-do-better/#comment-100904 Fri, 05 Jun 2020 05:35:22 +0000 https://www.aam-us.org/?p=113200#comment-100904 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.

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By: Terri McNichol https://www.aam-us.org/2020/06/02/for-museum-leaders-who-want-to-do-better/#comment-100867 Thu, 04 Jun 2020 22:07:13 +0000 https://www.aam-us.org/?p=113200#comment-100867 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.

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By: Joe Correia https://www.aam-us.org/2020/06/02/for-museum-leaders-who-want-to-do-better/#comment-100505 Wed, 03 Jun 2020 13:01:27 +0000 https://www.aam-us.org/?p=113200#comment-100505 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”.

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