The Empathetic Museum Group condemns unequivocally the beliefs and values of the white supremacist, neo-Nazi, neo-fascist groups that demonstrated in Charlottesville, VA this past weekend. While we recognize the deep historical roots underlying the choice of Charlottesville for these demonstrations--the connections of UVA to the system of slavery through its founder, its construction, and its use of slaves to serve students in its early days; the existence of active KKK groups in the city during the 1920’s, and a KKK demonstration in the city just a few weeks ago; the erection during the Jim Crow era of statues honoring the Confederacy and its cause--there is no excuse for the hate, bigotry, and violent attacks perpetrated by these individuals.
We encourage museums and museum-related organizations to consider their roles as anchor institutions in their communities; as carriers and nurturers of American culture to use their roles and voices in the civic space to call attention to the racism underlying the Charlottesville demonstrations, to provide historical context for public understanding of the forces at work here and in other parts of the country, and to provide safe spaces in which these contentious issues can be discussed and comprehended.
We thank museums and associations--including Monticello, The US Holocaust Museum, AASLH, and The National Civil Rights Museum--that have made statements concerning the rallies. We have seen that the St. Louis community chose the grounds of the Missouri Historical Society, a safe and inclusive space, on which to hold a weekend vigil. We encourage other museums to join as they can.
We offer our heartfelt support and counsel to museums as they seek to play a responsible role at this time.
We encourage museums and museum-related organizations to consider their roles as anchor institutions in their communities; as carriers and nurturers of American culture to use their roles and voices in the civic space to call attention to the racism underlying the Charlottesville demonstrations, to provide historical context for public understanding of the forces at work here and in other parts of the country, and to provide safe spaces in which these contentious issues can be discussed and comprehended.
We thank museums and associations--including Monticello, The US Holocaust Museum, AASLH, and The National Civil Rights Museum--that have made statements concerning the rallies. We have seen that the St. Louis community chose the grounds of the Missouri Historical Society, a safe and inclusive space, on which to hold a weekend vigil. We encourage other museums to join as they can.
We offer our heartfelt support and counsel to museums as they seek to play a responsible role at this time.