Charlene Carruthers, Unapologetic: A Black, Queer, and Feminist Mandate for Radical Movements

"It might be surprising to read that I believe it is normal to be prejudiced, racist, homophobic, transphobic, classist, and ableist in this country. I believe this because Charlene Carruthers, Unapologetic

in the United States—and arguably across the world—values-based institutions that a majority of people engage with, including schools—usually support a status quo in which what is normal and acceptable is narrowly defined.

Making museums antiracist, antioppressive requires removing oppressive leadership & boards.
Funding models & organizational structures must change too.
The preferred diversity trainings response from management maintains the status quo. It's a cover-up job.

#MuseumsAreNotNeutral It's no surprise that those who've created oppressive workplaces want to retain power. Even when their violence is exposed, they continue to deny wrongdoing, refuse to make amends, tokenize people.
The only thing they offer is undergoing diversity trainings.
#MuseumsAreNotNeutral

Richard Rothstein, The Color of Law

"In 1915, The New Republic, still in its infancy but already an influential magazine of the Progressive movement, argued for residential racial segregation until Negroes ceased wanting to “amalgamate” with whites Richard Rothstein, The Color of Law

—which is to say, ceased wanting to engage in relationships that produced mixed-race children. The article’s author apparently did not realize that race amalgamation in the United States was already considerably advanced,

In 2017 in a brief essay I wrote for Yale Art Gallery, I mentioned that segregation continues in the U.S. beyound the 1954 Brown decision. The gallery's editorial and communications team challenged me on my use of the term segregation.

#MuseumsAreNotNeutral They told me the Brown decision ended segregation. They claimed segregation no longer exists. I told them I would like to live in that United States. I also noted that I am a historian who specializes in race.

#MuseumsAreNotNeutral

Returning to Audre Lorde --
from Age, Race, Class, and Sex...

"Traditionally, in american society, it is the members of oppressed, objectified groups who are expected to stretch out and bridge the gap between the actualities of our lives and the consciousness of our oppressor. Audre Lorde--

For in order to survive, those of us for whom oppression is as american as apple pie have always had to be watchers, to become familiar with the language and manners of the oppressor, even sometimes adopting them for some illusion of protection.

Still thinking about this, espec in regards to being a Black feminist art historian & pushback I've experienced when I've discussed my experiences of racism.

Context- my suggestion that scholars & everyone call enslaved people "enslaved" instead of "slaves" as humanizing praxis Right now I'm historical texts that identify enslaved people as "enslaved" and not as "slaves."
Stamped from the Beginning... by @DrIbram, In the Wake.. by @hystericalblkns, Humane Insight... by @DrProfBlackLady, Dispossessed Lives... by @Drmarisajf.