Open Forum

Hey,

First post here so forgive me if this breaks any rules.

As we all know the current administration is making it clear, through both rhetoric and action, that the Smithsonian should portray a specific (right wing) political outlook on our collective history. While this has largely been contained within the Smithsonian itself, there is no doubt in my mind that the same political line will eventually be expected from affiliated institutions.

Smithsonian affiliation is rightly a big deal and a great program for many institutions but at what point does it become a negative? Can museums be affiliated with a right wing political Smithsonian AND be responsible members in their communities? Where is the red line (if any) for you?

This topic has been on my mind for some time and I'd love to hear other people's thoughts. 

Thanks!

( Shout out to those Smithsonian workers still doing the good work, keep fighting folks )

Vivian:  I strongly and wholeheartedly agree with this statement:  "We must speak out against censorship and authoritarian control of the truth."

But I wonder how firmly this belief is held throughout the museum community or is it a "fluid" tenet?  

As an example I do not recall very much "speaking out" against the "censorship and authoritarian control of the truth" that took place from 2021-2024.

I'm wondering if you meant that the way it sounds.  Are you inferring that an affiliated museum can only be "a responsible member of the community" if they are on the left?  Honestly curious if that's what you think.  Greg

I don't think it's jargon nor takes away from the point. It's an accurate (and simple) way to describe the type of political line the Smithsonian is being pressured to take. I'm not sure how else you would describe it without using those terms. (Authoritarian? Ultranationalist? Fascist?)

Dear Euan

I understand and feel that telling the whole story of history is important. I know that being a Smithsonian affiliate is a valuable thing. I think continuing to do the work is the most one can do.

Thanks,

Rachel

Euan:  If you meant this as it comes across it is a bit eye-opening :  "Can museums be affiliated with a right wing political Smithsonian AND be responsible members in their communities?"  It sounds like only liberal, left-wing politically leaning museums can be "responsible members in their communities?" 

IMO, to engender inclusivity, museums should tell the story objectively, presenting historic perspective from all sides and points of view, no matter how uncomfortable.  To do otherwise, by focusing on a narrow perspective, historical context is skewed towards political propaganda rather than historical accuracy deliberately leading to exclusivity.

-Ken

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Ken Avallon
Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame
kavallon@phillyhall.org
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That is a valid question.  It would be good for institutions that are Smithsonian affiliates, or those that who are seeking to be, to begin internal discussions about what it could mean if the current or a future administration undertook a review of the affiliation designation and then made demands on content revisions in order to retain that connection. Each institution is responsible to it's own mission and its patrons first and foremost. Any affiliation that would require compromising those things would no longer be an affiliation worth keeping in my book.