Lots of museums seem to be going through a phase of exploring their complicated pasts. Or at least that's true for a couple I visited recently. Birmingham museum invites visitors to think carefully about questions of repatriation and so on, whilst also having conversations with the various communities thier collections represent.
Sounds like the Mutter has got some way to go here - and like it's got something of worth that would be a shame to lose.
This is such a helpful response to a difficult museum & topic. When a new Paleolithic branch is announced because scientists have discovered a particularly large or differently-skulled specimen or whatever, i’ve often wondered if it might not be a new branch at all but just part of the range of human expression. There are so many ways to be human and I love your suggestion of context to help us work through the history & issues.
Thank you. Erasing differently abled people is ableism. FDR didn't show photos of himself in a wheelchair, but I'm sure some exist and should be the default for his image. He led the country better than most.
If anyone is interested in more details on the museum's problematic collection and their erratic handling of the issue, an interested party gifted this WaPo article on the subject. https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2023/07/26/mutter-museum-controversy-philadelphia/?pwapi_token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWJpZCI6IjY3NjcxMzAiLCJyZWFzb24iOiJnaWZ0IiwibmJmIjoxNjkwNDMwNDAwLCJpc3MiOiJzdWJzY3JpcHRpb25zIiwiZXhwIjoxNjkxNzI2Mzk5LCJpYXQiOjE2OTA0MzA0MDAsImp0aSI6IjE0OGRiYzhjLTAyYTctNDM2My04NGMzLWFiZjJkYmY0MTg0NiIsInVybCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3Lndhc2hpbmd0b25wb3N0LmNvbS9saWZlc3R5bGUvMjAyMy8wNy8yNi9tdXR0ZXItbXVzZXVtLWNvbnRyb3ZlcnN5LXBoaWxhZGVscGhpYS8ifQ.-H14tVQXc__gD70ZKtnPV7boUwf7pnUzcBHsGgC76x8
Lots of museums seem to be going through a phase of exploring their complicated pasts. Or at least that's true for a couple I visited recently. Birmingham museum invites visitors to think carefully about questions of repatriation and so on, whilst also having conversations with the various communities thier collections represent.
Sounds like the Mutter has got some way to go here - and like it's got something of worth that would be a shame to lose.
They do, but they'll have guidance.
Good to hear
This is such a helpful response to a difficult museum & topic. When a new Paleolithic branch is announced because scientists have discovered a particularly large or differently-skulled specimen or whatever, i’ve often wondered if it might not be a new branch at all but just part of the range of human expression. There are so many ways to be human and I love your suggestion of context to help us work through the history & issues.
Thank you. Erasing differently abled people is ableism. FDR didn't show photos of himself in a wheelchair, but I'm sure some exist and should be the default for his image. He led the country better than most.
I just read about this disabled Founding Father today, about whom I had never heard. Apparently, he was vehemently anti-slavery (which may explain why I've never heard of him). He also married a "fallen woman" later in life. I thought you might be interested (as I was): https://www.washingtonpost.com/history/2023/07/30/we-the-people-constitution-gouverneur-morris-disability-pride-month/
I had no idea. Can't wait to read it