This Week

This week has been exhausting.

“I’m sorry, did you say a week? It feels like it’s been years.”

It’s been real, people. If this work was hard and emotionally exhausting in 2020 when there was a groundswell of support, what is it like now? So many people are living in fear as their safety and security are stripped away due to the actions of Republican leadership in the United States.

Museums & Race will continue the work. To quote Timothy Snyder, “Do not obey in advance.”

We’re hearing about the dissolution of DEI offices and shutdown of communications and impacts to the federal grants that so many of us rely on. Well, maybe there aren’t requirements for DEI as part of federal grants now. But we can still do that work. Be smart about it. Don’t lose your job and reduce your power. But keep figuring out how you can do the work.

Maybe your institution is removing their DEI team. The work will be harder, but it can still be done. Museums & Race is still a partner and tool. Reach out to us, how can we help? What changes are you seeing at your institution? Need anonymity? You got it.

We were formed at a time where, largely, institutional support and recognition for DEI work didn’t exist. We made it through that time and will make it through this time as well. It’s not about institutions. It’s about individuals. You do have individual power. You can shake this off and apply yourself. It’s not about voting harder. It’s about the conversations you have every day. It’s about choice: the decisions that you and the people you know make. Hire the best people regardless of bias. Create a place where people can thrive and the institution will thrive. Create opportunities for people to learn and grow regardless of their backgrounds. Call out systems that benefit people in power due to their race or any other factor out of their control.

Collectively, we can change the world. It will be hard. But we are never going to give up. You are not alone.