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  • 1.  Avoiding partisan terminology

    Posted 09-06-2023 03:30 PM

    With so many terms becoming weaponized in our current political climate (e.g., ESG investing, Social Emotional Learning, Climate Resilience) I am looking for examples of museums that have continued the work, but evaded the controversy, by changing how they talk about what they do. 

    This could take the form of avoiding trigger words, or talking about their work in ways tailored to key stakeholders who may object to some specific terminology. 

    For example, as suggested in this article, "using simple language and describing the specific skills" that make up SEL rather than using the term itself, or talking to conservatives about climate action in "hierarchical, individualistic language," an approach recommended by Bob Inglis, former Republican congressman from South Carolina.

    As always, discussion welcome in this thread, or privately via Museum Junction messaging, or by emailing me at emerritt (at) aam-us.org



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    Elizabeth Merritt
    VP Strategic Foresight & Founding Director, CFM
    American Alliance of Museums
    Arlington VA
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  • 2.  RE: Avoiding partisan terminology

    Posted 09-07-2023 08:56 AM

    We've been looking into this as part of an effort to revitalize a 17 year-old exhibition on social justice on our campus and I've found this to be a helpful resource: https://www.listenfirstproject.org/marketing-intelligence-hub

    Appreciate you raising this topic and look forward to other suggestions people have!



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    Wing Fong
    Director of Experience Design
    The Henry Ford
    Dearborn MI
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  • 3.  RE: Avoiding partisan terminology

    Posted 09-07-2023 10:39 AM

    Thank you Wing, this is very helpful. Thank you for sharing. Let me know whether you might be interested in writing about the project to revitalize the exhibit--I think that might be a useful example to share with the field.



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    Elizabeth Merritt
    VP Strategic Foresight & Founding Director, CFM
    American Alliance of Museums
    Arlington VA
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Avoiding partisan terminology

    Posted 09-07-2023 04:16 PM

    I'm working on a big project to redo one of my museum's exhibition halls to focus on community-level climate action and solutions, which will include messaging about climate justice for frontline communities. I've found a number of the Wilkening data stories and resources useful, including Amplification vs. Over-Amplification and Audiences and Inclusion: A Primer for Cultivating More Inclusive Attitudes Among the Public, and of course the ones about climate change attitudes.

    I plan to attend an online event next week: Connecting with Americans on Climate Change, which asks the question, "How do we engage Americans in areas of the country where many still are uncertain about the science of climate change, the seriousness of the impacts, or the practicality of the solutions?" Climate scientist and communicator Katharine Hayhoe and five MIT journalism fellows will have a dialogue, share effective practices, and answer questions.

    Thank you, Wing, for sharing a great resource, and I'm looking forward to what others may have to share!



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    Cecilia Nguyen
    Senior Exhibit Developer
    Oregon Museum of Science and Industry
    Portland OR
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    Original Message


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