Moving from Nice to Necessary: Social Justice Work in Children’s Museums

Moving from Nice to Necessary: Social Justice Work in Children’s Museums

This session consisted of group dialog, exercises, skill building activities, and creating strategies for change. It is interesting to note that the value of education of children came from the socially progressive movements that give rise to libraries and public education to give all children the opportunity to achieve their fullest potential. 

Social Justice History of Children’s Museums and ACM strategic plan

·        Social justice is why our field exists

·        Belief that children are valuable human beings and deserve to learn on their own terms

·        Children museums founded at height of Children’s Rights movement and progressive movements

·        We ask “what do children need?” – Social justice tool to create environments for children

·        Social justice isn’t just race and ethnicity – ability, gender, socio-economic etc.

·        Social justice – access to social privilege and creating an equitable world and distribution of wealth

Social Justice stats

·        Children develop opinions and bias on race and ethnicity very early – mirrored by values of society

·        Term “minority” is losing its meaning

·        95% white run the museum field, must think of more opportunity to give people of color more opportunities

The tourist approach trap

·        Iceberg concept of culture – surface (seen eg. food), Shallow Culture (unspoken rules), Deep Culture (unconscious rules)

·        We end up simplifying and appropriating the culture in a stereotypical way

·        Must look at our own practice to see if we can conduct it in a correct way

What does social justice look like in your museum and community?

What is a social justice framework?

·        Activity addresses privilege, oppression

·        4 I’s of oppression – Ideological (-isms), institutional (reinforces ideologies), interpersonal (the way we oppress each other), internalized (oppressing ourselves because we are a part of the system)

·        Prejudice + Power = Racism (any -ism)    

Equity vs Equality

             

               Social justice mindset – 3^rd picture (Liberation - removing all systemic barriers)

Cultural Identity – Ethnicity, Nationality, Language, Religion, Gender

•  Doesn’t show our full selves, compartmentalized ourselves.

Cultural Responsiveness Assessment - personal and organizational assessment on how well you and your organization are doing in terms of cultural responsiveness

Small Group Discussion – As a child was race and class discussed with you?

Spheres of Influence – self, partners and children, extended family, friends/neighbors, employers/school/professional, government, interactive network and service providers (where you choose to spend your money)

Wrap up & key points

·        We have a history of doing advocacy for issues affecting children & families

·        Social justice work in all institutions is necessary

·        Work on your house first, but who’s tools are you using? (Can’t use the master’s tools to build a liberated house)

·        Put your plan into action