Dear Colleagues,
I would like to invite you to read and share the statement prepared by the AAM’s Latino Professional Network in response to Executive Orders that affect immigrant communities across the nation.
In this communication, we speak out against a series of executive orders signed in late January, in which President Trump ordered the construction of a wall along the US border with Mexico, restricted federal funds to sanctuary jurisdictions, and imposed a ban on travel to the US from several Muslim-majority countries.
We believe these actions undermine the core values of the American society, foster bigotry, and generate fear and isolation among communities across the nation. In this difficult time, the Latino Network emphasizes the critical role museums play in affirming cultural diversity and fostering inclusion in communities across the nation.
As a call to action, we are facilitating nationwide conversations for anyone in the museum field interested in promoting their museums as spaces for community dialog and for celebration of our cultural heritage and diversity. Also, the Latino Network is developing inclusion guidelines as a tool for museums to better understand and engage the growing Latino audiences.
We invite museums and museum professionals nationwide to join us in our efforts to affirm the value of cultural diversity. For more information about how to join Latino Network, participate in these conversations, and/or to be part of the inclusion guidelines taskforce, please contact Latino Network at LatinoNetworkMuseums@gmail.com or via our social media channels.
We acknowledge the support of AAM leadership and its communications team during the preparation of this important message. The statement is attached and available at our homepage at http://bit.ly/2nH0hfD%20 . The Spanish translation will be available early next week.
Best regards,
Antonio Rodríguez
Chair, Latino Network
Antonio Rodríguez
Consultant
Traveling Exhibitions & International Programs
Strategic Partnerships & Alliances
Washington, D.C. / USA
Phone: +1 240 401 5075
Email: antoniorodriguezusa@gmail.com
Twitter: @arodriguezusa
Skype: antoniorodriguezusa1
Chair, Latino Network Professional Committee, American Alliance of Museums (AAM)
Chairman of the Board, International Committee for Exhibition Exchange, International Council of Museums (ICOM-ICEE)
------------------------------
Antonio Rodriguez
Chair, Latino Network
Washington DC
------------------------------