[Bcma-l] War Museum - Autonomy in research and interpretation for educational institutions?
bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca
bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca
Wed, 5 Sep 2007 12:26:21 -0700
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I think museums should show the whole truth even if it is unpalatable =
to some. Would you go to the Killing Fields in Cambodia and tell them =
to "tone down" their interpretive displays? =20
Yes, we carpet bombed German cities, in retaliation for the targeting of =
civilians by German forces. Hundreds of thousands were killed. An =
example of "total war," a doctrine which states that civilians are part =
of the social and industrial war machine and thus must be considered as =
enemy combatants. Therefore, according to the strategic doctrines of =
the day, destroying German cities was perfectly legitimate as an act of =
war. Besides, Nazi Germany was busy exterminating the Jews of Europe. =
I think war museums should not try to impose any kind of moral judgement =
in their interpretation - the horrors of war speak for themselves and =
let the visitor make his or her own moral judgements or conclusions =
based on the information presented. =20
The USA not only firebombed Japanese cities like Tokyo, they also =
dropped 2 nuclear weapons on civilian targets during the war. I wonder =
if they have these types of soul-searching dialogues in their museum =
community? =20
North Pacific Historic Fishing Village
PO Box 1109
1889 Skeena Drive
Port Edward BC V0V 1G0
Website: www.cannery.ca
Email: northpac@citytel.net
Site Phone: 250-628-3538=20
Fax: 250-628-3540
WE ARE OPEN - Monday thru Saturday 10am-7:30pm (Sundays 10am to 5pm)
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----- Original Message -----=20
From: bcma-l-admin@museumsassn.bc.ca=20
To: bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca=20
Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2007 3:50 PM
Subject: Re: [Bcma-l] War Museum - Autonomy in research and =
interpretation for educational institutions?
But surely the truth remains the truth. If you choose to censor the =
facts because of the fear of loss of funding, you are still masking the =
truth: a deeply disturbing state of affairs for any institution which =
lists education as part of its mandate. Surely the way forward would be =
to work with your funding agency (I admit, this could lead to a =
stale-mate) and educate them so that they realize that what you're =
attempting is not a personal attack, but a reflection on an historical =
incident which has a variety of sides to it, pro and con. With =
consultation, incendiary or emotive language can be edited while the =
truth (the death of hundreds of thousands of unarmed and non-military =
citizens) remains intact. =20
I feel very strongly about this topic. Both my father and my husband =
fought in WWII (unusual for someone my age, I know) and both felt deeply =
ashamed of the allied carpet bombing of parts of Germany. I agree with =
the letter writer in the Times Colonist this a.m. who stated, point =
blank, that the flight crews themselves were only obeying orders. As =
for the men who dreamt up the atrocity..........
Patricia Kidd, M.A., Cultural Historian
1025 Moss Street
Victoria B.C. Canada
V8V 4P2
(250)382-2543
On 4-Sep-07, at 11:43 AM, bcma-l-admin@museumsassn.bc.ca wrote:
I believe that an educational institution is usually accountable to =
its funders and is not really autonomous. Any granting agency or =
benefactor has its things they want to fund. If you don=92t want to do =
those things, then of course you don=92t have to =85 but you also =
don=92t receive their funding.
A city museum is accountable through the administration to its City =
Council which in turn is accountable to the citizens. Such a museum =
might wish to address issues of racial prejudice for example in that =
city, but the reality is that they might not be able to do so in the way =
that staff might want to. Sometimes it is in the timing. The Vancouver =
Museumnow has an exhibit about the Japanese in Vancouver but the issue =
of the forced evacuation in 1942 could not have been addressed by them =
at the time. Even a museum of an educational facility (e.g. MOA) might =
face censorship if staff decided in the name of educational freedom to =
address a very controversial and emotional topic. Sometimes it is =
self-censorship =96 reading the situation and realizing that discretion =
is the better part of valour sometimes. On the other hand, a Museum =
Director could stick their neck out.
Colin MacGregor Stevens,
Manager,
New Westminster Museum and Archives,
302 Royal Avenue,
New Westminster, BC,
V3L 1H7
Phone Office: 604-527-4639
Work Cellular : 604-830-6965
Fax: 604-527-4641
E-mail: cstevens@newwestcity.ca
Web Site: www.newwestminster.ca
-----Original Message-----
From: bcma-l-admin@museumsassn.bc.ca =
[mailto:bcma-l-admin@museumsassn.bc.ca]=20
Sent: September 1, 2007 2:23 AM
To: bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca
Subject: Re: [Bcma-l] War Museum
This is an important issue and all of us as museum professionals =
should be concerned. Irregardless of the source of funding we need to =
be autonomous in the research and interpretation that we offer as an =
educational, not a political, institution.
James Tirrul-Jones
Railway and Forestry Museum
=20
=20
I believe that BC Museums and CMA should lend what little weight =
they have in support of the War Museums independent ability to present =
history.
The idea of political and single interest groups lobbying in such =
a case is reprehensible, and I believe we should make our views known.
In a land where people died over the issue of free speech, where =
is it, and where is the free [and independent prerogative] in doing our =
job objectively?
Our museum was subjected to such pressure and caved in due to an =
in-camera meeting by our city council, which went on to dictate as to =
what we could or could not exhibit. No members of the public or =
delegations were allowed to debate such an important issue.
To our shame, we accepted their ultimatum in, but it still does =
not destroy the principle and concept of museum independence,.
Our alternative would have been to close the museum.
This is an important issue and I am surprised that I have not =
heard any pronouncements about this by our museum organizations.
Are we too busy planning conferences and workshops and patting =
ourselves on the back to pay attention to such an important issue?
Larry A. Ewashen, Curator & General Manager
The Doukhobor Discovery Centre
112 Heritage Way, Castlegar V1N 4M5
1-250-365-5327
www.Doukhobor-Museum.org <http://www.Doukhobor-Museum.org>
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<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma> I think museums should show the whole =
truth even if=20
it is unpalatable to some. Would you go to the Killing Fields in =
Cambodia=20
and tell them to "tone down" their interpretive displays? =
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma>Yes, we carpet bombed German cities, in =
retaliation for=20
the targeting of civilians by German forces. Hundreds of thousands =
were=20
killed. An example of "total war," a doctrine which =
states that=20
civilians are part of the social and industrial war machine and thus =
must be=20
considered as enemy combatants. Therefore, according to the =
strategic=20
doctrines of the day, destroying German cities was perfectly legitimate =
as an=20
act of war. Besides, Nazi Germany was busy exterminating the Jews =
of=20
Europe. I think war museums should not try to impose any kind of =
moral=20
judgement in their interpretation - the horrors of war speak for =
themselves=20
and let the visitor make his or her own moral judgements or conclusions =
based on=20
the information presented. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma>The USA not only firebombed Japanese cities =
like Tokyo,=20
they also dropped 2 nuclear weapons on civilian targets during the =
war. I=20
wonder if they have these types of soul-searching dialogues in their =
museum=20
community? </FONT></DIV>
<DIV>North Pacific Historic Fishing Village<BR>PO Box 1109<BR>1889 =
Skeena=20
Drive<BR>Port Edward BC V0V 1G0<BR>Website: <A=20
href=3D"http://www.cannery.ca">www.cannery.ca</A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Email: <A=20
href=3D"mailto:northpac@citytel.net">northpac@citytel.net</A><BR>Site =
Phone:=20
250-628-3538 <BR>Fax: 250-628-3540</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>WE ARE OPEN - Monday thru Saturday 10am-7:30pm (Sundays 10am =
to=20
5pm)<BR> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
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<BLOCKQUOTE dir=3Dltr=20
style=3D"PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; =
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<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV=20
style=3D"BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: =
black"><B>From:</B>=20
<A title=3Dbcma-l-admin@museumsassn.bc.ca=20
=
href=3D"mailto:bcma-l-admin@museumsassn.bc.ca">bcma-l-admin@museumsassn.b=
c.ca</A>=20
</DIV>
<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A =
title=3Dbcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca=20
href=3D"mailto:bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca">bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca</A> =
</DIV>
<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, September 04, =
2007 3:50=20
PM</DIV>
<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: [Bcma-l] War =
Museum -=20
Autonomy in research and interpretation for educational =
institutions?</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>But surely the truth remains the truth. If you =
choose to=20
censor the facts because of the fear of loss of funding, you are still =
masking=20
the truth: a deeply disturbing state of affairs for any =
institution=20
which lists education as part of its mandate. Surely the way =
forward=20
would be to work with your funding agency (I admit, this could lead to =
a=20
stale-mate) and educate them so that they realize that what you're =
attempting=20
is not a personal attack, but a reflection on an historical incident =
which has=20
a variety of sides to it, pro and con. With consultation, =
incendiary or=20
emotive language can be edited while the truth (the death of hundreds =
of=20
thousands of unarmed and non-military citizens) remains =
intact.
<DIV><BR class=3Dkhtml-block-placeholder></DIV>
<DIV>I feel very strongly about this topic. Both my father and =
my=20
husband fought in WWII (unusual for someone my age, I know) and both =
felt=20
deeply ashamed of the allied carpet bombing of parts of Germany. =
I agree=20
with the letter writer in the Times Colonist this a.m. who stated, =
point=20
blank, that the flight crews themselves were only obeying =
orders. As for=20
the men who dreamt up the atrocity..........</DIV>
<DIV><BR class=3Dkhtml-block-placeholder></DIV>
<DIV><BR>
<DIV><SPAN class=3DApple-style-span=20
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-apple-text-size-adjust: auto; orphans: 2; widows: 2"><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"WORD-SPACING: 0px; FONT: 12px Times New Roman; =
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-apple-text-size-adjust: auto; orphans: 2; widows: 2">
<DIV>Patricia Kidd, M.A., Cultural Historian</DIV>
<DIV>1025 Moss Street</DIV>
<DIV>Victoria B.C. Canada</DIV>
<DIV>V8V 4P2</DIV>
<DIV>(250)382-2543</DIV><BR=20
class=3DApple-interchange-newline></SPAN></SPAN></DIV><BR>
<DIV>
<DIV>On 4-Sep-07, at 11:43 AM, <A=20
=
href=3D"mailto:bcma-l-admin@museumsassn.bc.ca">bcma-l-admin@museumsassn.b=
c.ca</A>=20
wrote:</DIV><BR class=3DApple-interchange-newline>
<BLOCKQUOTE type=3D"cite"><SPAN class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"WORD-SPACING: 0px; FONT: 12px Times New Roman; =
TEXT-TRANSFORM: none; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); TEXT-INDENT: 0px; WHITE-SPACE: =
normal; LETTER-SPACING: normal; BORDER-COLLAPSE: separate; =
border-spacing: 0px 0px; -khtml-text-decorations-in-effect: none; =
-apple-text-size-adjust: auto; orphans: 2; widows: 2">
<DIV class=3DSection1>
<P class=3DMsoNormal><FONT face=3DArial color=3Dnavy size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,128); FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial"><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,128); FONT-FAMILY: Arial">I =
believe=20
that an educational institution is usually accountable to its =
funders and is=20
not really autonomous. Any granting agency or benefactor has its =
things they=20
want to fund. If you don=92t want to do those things, then of course =
you don=92t=20
have to =85 but you also don=92t receive their =
funding.</SPAN></SPAN></FONT></P>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3Dnavy size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,128); FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial"><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,128); FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial"></SPAN></SPAN></FONT><BR=20
class=3Dkhtml-block-placeholder> </DIV>
<P class=3DMsoNormal><FONT face=3DArial color=3Dnavy size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,128); FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial"><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,128); FONT-FAMILY: Arial">A =
city=20
museum is accountable through the administration to its City Council =
which=20
in turn is accountable to the citizens. Such a museum might wish to =
address=20
issues of racial prejudice for example in that city, but the reality =
is that=20
they might not be able to do so in the way that staff might want to. =
Sometimes it is in the timing. The </SPAN></SPAN></FONT><FONT =
face=3DArial=20
color=3Dnavy size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,128); FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial"><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,128); FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial">Vancouver</SPAN></SPAN></FONT><FONT=20
face=3DArial color=3Dnavy size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,128); FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial"><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,128); FONT-FAMILY: Arial">=20
</SPAN></SPAN></FONT><FONT face=3DArial color=3Dnavy size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,128); FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial"><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,128); FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial">Museum</SPAN></SPAN></FONT><FONT=20
face=3DArial color=3Dnavy size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,128); FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial"><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,128); FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial">now has an=20
exhibit about the Japanese in </SPAN></SPAN></FONT><FONT =
face=3DArial=20
color=3Dnavy size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,128); FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial"><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,128); FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial">Vancouver</SPAN></SPAN></FONT><FONT=20
face=3DArial color=3Dnavy size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,128); FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial"><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,128); FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> =
but the=20
issue of the forced evacuation in 1942 could not have been addressed =
by them=20
at the time. Even a museum of an educational facility (e.g. MOA) =
might face=20
censorship if staff decided in the name of educational freedom to =
address a=20
very controversial and emotional topic. Sometimes it is =
self-censorship =96=20
reading the situation and realizing that discretion is the better =
part of=20
valour sometimes. On the other hand, a Museum =
</SPAN></SPAN></FONT><FONT=20
face=3DArial color=3Dnavy size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,128); FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial"><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,128); FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial">Director</SPAN></SPAN></FONT><FONT=20
face=3DArial color=3Dnavy size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,128); FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial"><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,128); FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> =
could=20
stick their neck out.</SPAN></SPAN></FONT></P>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3Dnavy size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,128); FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial"><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,128); FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial"></SPAN></SPAN></FONT><BR=20
class=3Dkhtml-block-placeholder> </DIV>
<DIV>
<P class=3DMsoAutoSig><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman" color=3Dnavy =
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class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 16px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,128)">Colin MacGregor=20
Stevens,</SPAN></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoAutoSig><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman" color=3Dnavy =
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Museum and=20
Archives,</SPAN></SPAN></FONT></P>
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class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,128); FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial">E-mail:=20
</SPAN><A href=3D"mailto:cstevens@newwestcity.ca"><SPAN =
class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,255); FONT-FAMILY: Arial; =
-khtml-text-decorations-in-effect: =
underline">cstevens@newwestcity.ca</SPAN></A><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,128); FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial"></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoAutoSig><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman" color=3Dnavy =
size=3D3><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 16px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,128)"><SPAN =
class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 16px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,128)">Web Site: </SPAN><A=20
href=3D"http://www.newwestminster.ca"><SPAN class=3DApple-style-span =
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 16px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,255); =
-khtml-text-decorations-in-effect: =
underline">www.newwestminster.ca</SPAN></A></SPAN></FONT><FONT=20
color=3Dnavy size=3D2><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13px; COLOR: =
rgb(0,0,128)"><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13px; COLOR: =
rgb(0,0,128)"></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3Dnavy size=3D2><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,128); FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial"><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13px; COLOR: rgb(0,0,128); FONT-FAMILY: =
Arial"></SPAN></SPAN></FONT><BR=20
class=3Dkhtml-block-placeholder> </DIV>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 16px; MARGIN-LEFT: =
0.5in"><FONT=20
face=3DTahoma size=3D2><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13px; FONT-FAMILY: =
Tahoma"><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13px; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">-----Original=20
Message-----</SPAN><BR style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13px; FONT-FAMILY: =
Tahoma"><B=20
style=3D"FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 13px; FONT-FAMILY: =
Tahoma"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 13px; FONT-FAMILY: =
Tahoma"><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 13px; FONT-FAMILY: =
Tahoma">From:</SPAN></SPAN></B><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13px; FONT-FAMILY: =
Tahoma">=20
bcma-l-admin@museumsassn.bc.ca [<A=20
=
href=3D"mailto:bcma-l-admin@museumsassn.bc.ca">mailto:bcma-l-admin@museum=
sassn.bc.ca</A>]=20
</SPAN><BR style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13px; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma"><B=20
style=3D"FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 13px; FONT-FAMILY: =
Tahoma"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 13px; FONT-FAMILY: =
Tahoma"><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 13px; FONT-FAMILY: =
Tahoma">Sent:</SPAN></SPAN></B><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13px; FONT-FAMILY: =
Tahoma">=20
September 1, 2007 2:23 AM</SPAN><BR=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13px; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma"><B=20
style=3D"FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 13px; FONT-FAMILY: =
Tahoma"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 13px; FONT-FAMILY: =
Tahoma"><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 13px; FONT-FAMILY: =
Tahoma">To:</SPAN></SPAN></B><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13px; FONT-FAMILY: =
Tahoma"> <A=20
=
href=3D"mailto:bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca">bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca</A></SP=
AN><BR=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13px; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma"><B=20
style=3D"FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 13px; FONT-FAMILY: =
Tahoma"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 13px; FONT-FAMILY: =
Tahoma"><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 13px; FONT-FAMILY: =
Tahoma">Subject:</SPAN></SPAN></B><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 13px; FONT-FAMILY: =
Tahoma"> Re:=20
[Bcma-l] War Museum</SPAN></SPAN></FONT></P>
<DIV style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 16px; MARGIN-LEFT: 0.5in"><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: =
16px"><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span style=3D"FONT-SIZE: =
16px"></SPAN></SPAN></FONT><BR=20
class=3Dkhtml-block-placeholder> </DIV>
<P class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 16px; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0.5in; =
MARGIN-RIGHT: 0in"><FONT=20
face=3DVerdana size=3D1><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; FONT-FAMILY: =
Verdana"><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">This is an =
important=20
issue and all of us as museum professionals should be concerned.=20
Irregardless of the source of funding we need to be =
autonomous=20
in the research and interpretation that we offer as an educational, =
not a=20
political, institution.</SPAN><BR style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><BR =
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><SPAN class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">James Tirrul-Jones</SPAN><BR=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><SPAN class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">Railway and Forestry Museum</SPAN><BR =
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><BR=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"></SPAN></FONT></P>
<BLOCKQUOTE style=3D"MARGIN-TOP: 5pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 5pt">
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 16px; MARGIN-LEFT: =
0.5in"><FONT=20
face=3DVerdana size=3D1><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 9pt; =
FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><BR=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><SPAN class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"> </SPAN><BR=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><BR style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: =
Verdana"><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: =
Verdana"> </SPAN><BR=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><FONT color=3Dgreen><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: rgb(0,128,0); FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span style=3D"COLOR: rgb(0,128,0); =
FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">I=20
believe that BC Museums and CMA should lend what little =
weight they=20
have in support of the War Museums independent ability to =
present=20
history.</SPAN><BR=20
style=3D"COLOR: rgb(0,128,0); FONT-FAMILY: =
Verdana"></SPAN></FONT><BR=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><FONT color=3Dgreen><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: rgb(0,128,0); FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"COLOR: rgb(0,128,0); FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">The idea of =
political=20
and single interest groups lobbying in such a case is =
reprehensible,=20
and I believe we should make our views known.</SPAN><BR=20
style=3D"COLOR: rgb(0,128,0); FONT-FAMILY: =
Verdana"></SPAN></FONT><BR=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><FONT color=3Dgreen><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: rgb(0,128,0); FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"COLOR: rgb(0,128,0); FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">In a land =
where people=20
died over the issue of free speech, where is it, and where =
is the=20
free [and independent prerogative] in doing our job=20
objectively?</SPAN><BR=20
style=3D"COLOR: rgb(0,128,0); FONT-FAMILY: =
Verdana"></SPAN></FONT><BR=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><FONT color=3Dgreen><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: rgb(0,128,0); FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"COLOR: rgb(0,128,0); FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">Our museum was =
subjected=20
to such pressure and caved in due to an in-camera meeting by =
our=20
city council, which went on to dictate as to what we could =
or could=20
not exhibit. No members of the public or delegations were =
allowed to=20
debate such an important issue.</SPAN><BR=20
style=3D"COLOR: rgb(0,128,0); FONT-FAMILY: =
Verdana"></SPAN></FONT><BR=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><FONT color=3Dgreen><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: rgb(0,128,0); FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"COLOR: rgb(0,128,0); FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">To our shame, =
we=20
accepted their ultimatum in, but it still does not destroy the=20
principle and concept of museum independence,.</SPAN><BR=20
style=3D"COLOR: rgb(0,128,0); FONT-FAMILY: =
Verdana"></SPAN></FONT><BR=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><FONT color=3Dgreen><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: rgb(0,128,0); FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"COLOR: rgb(0,128,0); FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">Our =
alternative=20
would have been to close the museum.</SPAN><BR=20
style=3D"COLOR: rgb(0,128,0); FONT-FAMILY: =
Verdana"></SPAN></FONT><BR=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><FONT color=3Dgreen><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: rgb(0,128,0); FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"COLOR: rgb(0,128,0); FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">This is an =
important=20
issue and I am surprised that I have not heard any =
pronouncements=20
about this by our museum organizations.</SPAN><BR=20
style=3D"COLOR: rgb(0,128,0); FONT-FAMILY: =
Verdana"></SPAN></FONT><BR=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><FONT color=3Dgreen><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: rgb(0,128,0); FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"COLOR: rgb(0,128,0); FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">Are we too =
busy planning=20
conferences and workshops and patting ourselves on the back =
to pay=20
attention to such an important issue?</SPAN><BR=20
style=3D"COLOR: rgb(0,128,0); FONT-FAMILY: =
Verdana"></SPAN></FONT><BR=20
style=3D"FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><FONT color=3Dgreen><SPAN=20
style=3D"COLOR: rgb(0,128,0); FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"COLOR: rgb(0,128,0); FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">Larry A. =
Ewashen,=20
Curator & General Manager</SPAN><BR=20
style=3D"COLOR: rgb(0,128,0); FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"COLOR: rgb(0,128,0); FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">The Doukhobor =
Discovery=20
Centre</SPAN><BR style=3D"COLOR: rgb(0,128,0); FONT-FAMILY: =
Verdana"><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"COLOR: rgb(0,128,0); FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">112 Heritage =
Way,=20
Castlegar V1N 4M5</SPAN><BR=20
style=3D"COLOR: rgb(0,128,0); FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"COLOR: rgb(0,128,0); FONT-FAMILY: =
Verdana">1-250-365-5327</SPAN><BR=20
style=3D"COLOR: rgb(0,128,0); FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"COLOR: rgb(0,128,0); FONT-FAMILY: =
Verdana">www.Doukhobor-Museum.org=20
</SPAN><A href=3D"http://www.Doukhobor-Museum.org"><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"COLOR: rgb(0,0,255); FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; =
-khtml-text-decorations-in-effect: =
underline"><http://www.Doukhobor-Museum.org></SPAN></A><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span=20
style=3D"COLOR: rgb(0,128,0); FONT-FAMILY: =
Verdana"></SPAN></SPAN></FONT></SPAN></FONT></P></BLOCKQUOTE>
<DIV style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 16px; MARGIN-LEFT: 0.5in"><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: =
16px"><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span style=3D"FONT-SIZE: =
16px"></SPAN></SPAN></FONT><BR=20
class=3Dkhtml-block-placeholder> </DIV>
<DIV style=3D"FONT-SIZE: 16px; MARGIN-LEFT: 0.5in"><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3><SPAN style=3D"FONT-SIZE: =
16px"><SPAN=20
class=3DApple-style-span style=3D"FONT-SIZE: =
16px"></SPAN></SPAN></FONT><BR=20
class=3Dkhtml-block-placeholder> </DIV></DIV><BR=20
=
class=3DApple-interchange-newline></SPAN></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV><BR></DIV></B=
LOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>
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