Thread by @murawski27

Thanks to all who attended my presentation via the University of Washington's Museology Speaker Series - & huge thanks to everyone in the Museology Graduate Program!
Here are some highlights from my talk, "1000 Ways to Reshape the Future of Museums" (thread)
#MuseumsAreNotNeutral

The title is inspired by the words of #OctaviaButler & her call for collective action. I began reflecting on this:
"there’s no single answer that will solve all of our future problems... Instead there are thousands of answers—at least. You can be one of them if you choose to be.

then I playfully asked, "Do we even really need to change and reshape museums?" (yes, I've been asked this a lot). Here is a clip from my presentation slides. For me, the answer is "HELL YES!!!" But you decide...

I want to be clear that WE all are agents of change, and have a human responsibility to play an active part in transforming museums & shaping a better future. And there's a lot of important organizing work already happening!

I asked everyone to share "one change they want to see happen in museums" & "one barrier preventing change." Then I shared some of the thoughts & ideas I've been gathering from museum professionals and students (see attached slides)

we paused for a moment of care, and a reflection on the guides, mentors, and elders who support us -- from @LamaRod1 amazing "Seven Homecomings Practice." Here is a link to the full practice, which I recommend you check out: austinzencenter.org/wp-content/upl…

I celebrated three examples of museums doing powerful work that aligns with these changes we want to see -- in these cases, the future of museums is NOW. These museums show that the work can be done!
@McrMuseum @fiveoaksmuseum @SmithsonianACM

You can learn more about what's happening at the @McrMuseum here: museumnext.com/article/hello-…

Read more about some of the incredibe work at @SmithsonianACM here: aam-us.org/2021/04/12/ser…

And check out the radical & necessary changes happening at @fiveoaksmuseum thanks to their amazing team of changemakers: pbs.org/newshour/show/…

I wrapped up my presentation by sharing a few things we can do right now:
- engage in self-inquiry
- disrupt white supremancy & status quo
- question everything
- support union efforts
- center relationships
- build a community of change

I really appreciated everyone's questions & the collective passion to take action and make change happen. Huge thanks again to UW's Museology Program.
Let's work together to be one of those 1,000 answers that #OctaviaButler wrote about, & reshape the future of museums!
💪💪💪💪💪

now I'm off to get by COVID booster shot💛