Narrative Struggle
I was struck by a recent interview with Bryan Stevenson on the radio show "On the Media."
In that interview, Mr. Stevenson characterized the government's recent attacks on museums, national parks, and allied cultural institutions as a "narrative struggle."
To paraphrase something said in the interview, "We want symbols of achievement and freedom, but not the complete stories behind them."
He went on to argue that the role of museums in narrative truth-telling outside the courts and government could help push for changes inside those halls of power.
It made me think of the powerful institutions created by Bryan Stevenson and the Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, Alabama, for that exact purpose of narrative truth-telling. (You can read a previous ExhibiTricks post about my impressions of the Legacy Museum and The National Memorial for Peace and Justice here.)
In the end, the interview gave me hope and renewed purpose for my work, as well as for the work of colleagues in museums and other cultural institutions.
"Hopelessness is the enemy of Justice."
~ Bryan Stevenson
Paul Orselli writes the posts on ExhibiTricks. Paul likes to combine interesting people, ideas, and materials to make exhibits (and entire museums!) with his company POW! (Paul Orselli Workshop, Inc.) Let's work on a project together!
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