Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace

Speak Now or Forever Hold Your Peace

John Kua Wei Tchen and Liz Ševčenko argue that a museum space should be a democratic, representative body that centers dialogue as one of its fundamental pillars. The open dialogue between the organization and communities, according to Tchen and Ševčenko, is vital to tell a more complete story of how people lived. With this, though, the question is then, “Should every voice be weighed equally?” or “Is every personal ‘truth’ true?” Should museums set limits on what people have the right to say? I believe so, yes.

Image curtest of Florida Memory, DG003132
Equality Florida Director Nadine Smith Speaking 
During the Pride Talk Speaker Forum at Frescos in Lakeland, 2015

    I believe that if a museum sets a discussion or sets up a space for a discussion, then there is an obligation on the museum’s part to act as a moderator in discussions. Along with being perceived as a representative space, museums are also seen as safe places, places free of judgment; however, this freedom should not grant individuals absolute freedom to say anything. Just as the space is for one individual to be heard, it is also important that every individual involved in the dialogue feels comfortable and safe. A dialogue in a museum assumes an equal exchange, with no power imbalances. If you have a discussion regarding a sensitive topic with an oppressor and an oppressed people, you can’t sit them both down and expect the power balance to remain equitable, the oppressed to feel safe enough to speak freely, and the discussion to be honest.