I'm really scared that this is the sort of thing that will cause people on the right....

[LAS14]

Last edited Sun Oct 24, 2021, 02:05 PM - Edit history (1)

... who are nauseous at the idea of voting for Trump to vote GOP anyway because they are more scared of this sort of behavior on the part of the left.

The story about the docents at the Art Institute of Chicago kept me awake for hours last night.
This is just the sort of thing that will energize the right to get Trump back in office. It's scary as hell!!!

Why couldn't they just institute changes for going forward? Here is an article from The New York Times to give background to people who aren't aware of the story.

Edit: On reflection, what this looks like (and is) is dismissing people because of their race.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/21/arts/design/chicago-art-institute-docents.html

Here's another story if you hit an NYT pay wall.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/art-institute-of-chicago-docent-fired-diversity-museum-11634595314

[tblue37]

1. Excerpt:

Like many museums around the country, the Art Institute of Chicago has been trying to forge closer ties with the racially and economically diverse city it serves. Museum officials decided that one area in need of an overhaul was its 60-year-old program of volunteer educators, known as docents, who greet school groups and lead tours.

So last month the board overseeing the program sent a letter to the museum’s 82 active docents — most of whom were white older women — informing the volunteers that their program was being ended. The letter said that the museum would phase in a new model relying on paid educators and volunteers “in a way that allows community members of all income levels to participate, responds to issues of class and income equity, and does not require financial flexibility to participate.”

The move has erupted into the latest cultural flash point as museums around the country wrestle with making their staffs, boards and programming more diverse.

The docents — longtime, dedicated volunteers who know the Institute and its collections intimately — lamented the decision. The Chicago Tribune denounced the move in an editorial headlined “Shame on the Art Institute for summarily canning its volunteer docents.” Conservative media decried the plan as discrimination against white people and an example of what the Federalist called “the cult of wokeness.” Infowars, the site founded by the conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, ran an article about it

Snip

[LAS14]

8. Thanks. I don't subscribe to the WSJ and didn't hit a pay wall via Google News. ???? nt

[Hortensis]

37. :) I doubt too many will identify with privileged people upset by

breaking up a long-entrenched docent system. Not enough to keep this latest obligatory political "outrage" from being let go quickly for another.

Affluent long-time volunteers especially come to feel they have outsized rights and influence, and ownership, of institutions, understandably enough, but as time changes the influence can become antithetical to the philosophy and missions of the institutions.

Of course they have the means and connections to make a big stink on their own behalf. Those inclined.

But mostly a big nothing to those not involved.

[LAS14]

40. The whole of the Trump base, and, more alarmingly, those no Trumpers who will be...

... persuaded that the "cancel culture" is going to far. People are being dismissed, literally, for their race. It's not that people identify with the docents. It's that they are being inundated with stories about "the cancel culture" going too far.

[Hortensis]

43. If it wasn't this, it'd be something else. And will be. We're constantly

inundated with propaganda narratives designed to generate outrage and disaffection. Some are helpless to do anything but dance on their strings, and race twangs a lot of different strings. Manipulators will be sending out a whole bunch of toxic twangs over the next year. Just the way it is.

For us, steady on course.

[Ms. Toad]

52. Dismissed? This is a VOLUNTEER program,

being replaced with one which pays people to do the same job. And those former volunteers are being encouraged to apply for the paid positions.

Further - they are not being dismissed for their race (literally or othewise). The museum is recognizing that any volunteer docent program will result in a population of docents that is disproportionately wealthier than a paid program because it is largely wealthier individuals who have the ability to have free time (and flexibility of schedules) to volunteer. This shift in the program creates the opportunity for everyone, regardless of race or income level, to have the same ability to participate in the (now paid) docent program.

It is a problem that plagues many employment pathways, as well. In the law, for example, those who are financially struggling to make it through law school generally can't afford to take unpaid summer internships which, in turn, generate valuable experience and networking. Inevitably, those who could afford to take unpaid summer internships get jobs (and generally higher paying ones) that are not open to their peers who could not afford to spend the summers not earning money.

I might feel differently about it if, as your use of the word "dismissed" implies, they were firing white people to replace them with non-white people.

[spooky3]

47. No doubt that's true for some, but

In the first place, women faced a lot of workplace discrimination and my hunch is that these are not “real housewives” for the most part. This should not be overlooked. All too often I have heard discrimination against white women dismissed or ignored.

In the second place, I have at least four retired friends who serve as docents or in similar volunteer positions. Yes, all are comfortable, but none are 1 percenters; all worked outside the home for many years. One is a libertarian but the others are all strong Democrats, one of whom volunteers for Dems too. One retired from a bank and continues to live in her tiny one bedroom condo. Another retired with a mid level federal pension. They are very dedicated in their volunteer work.

There surely is a better way to handle this than ungraciously getting rid of people who have given you valuable service.

[Hortensis]

53. I was a long-term volunteer for 3 organizations in the

past, and others at various times. If not for health issues I would be spending the luxury of retirement being involved with others in something meaningful. I wasn't putting down volunteers or volunteerism. It's wonderful for those involved and for all they help make possible.

[tblue37]

2. WSJ is heavily paywalled.

[LAS14]

5. I don't subscribe and I was able to read it via Google News. ???? nt

[leftstreet]

3. The price of groceries will keep most people awake at night

"docents at the Art Institute of Chicago" not so much

[ProfessorGAC]

10. Generally Agree

But, the Institute should have thought about whether the potential blowback was worth expanding diversity among VOLUNTEER workers.
If the started replacing paid staff & regents because of a clear lack of diversity, that would be different.
But, they are taking an action, creating backlash, for a situation about which the vast majority of people don't care.
They mostly won't care about the decision, but they didn't care about the situation that led to this termination.
If people don't care, they don't care. Focus on something people care about.

[spooky3]

48. Generally agree, but even in the pre-right wing judge era,

Last edited Thu Oct 28, 2021, 11:47 AM - Edit history (1)

The courts looked askance at “affirmative action” efforts that would take people out of (paid) jobs in order to give them to others, because the law balances the concern over discrimination on the basis of group membership, versus the rights of individuals not to experience unfair discrimination. The courts are more favorably inclined toward efforts during recruiting and hiring of people for open positions, promotions, etc.

(Not a lawyer but am in a closely related field.)

I suspect there is more to the Art Institute story than what we are hearing.

And here is a new case where firing to help achieve diversity was found to violate the law:

https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/28/us/novant-health-wrongful-termination-white-executive-fired/index.html

This involved paid employees only.

[Ferrets are Cool]

33. This

[MLAA]

4. Hit paywalls on both links. Please summarize 🙂

[LAS14]

6. See first reply. Sorry about that, but I don't subscribe to the WSJ and was able to read it. nt

[MLAA]

9. No worries!

I think they allow one to see a couple of articles over some period of time and I must have already read my limit.

[tblue37]

7. I provided an excerpt in post #1.

[MLAA]

12. Thank you!

[Jilly_in_VA]

11. I think I saw it

on HuffPost, which is not paywalled. Try there. Anyway I came across it somewhere yesterday that isn't paywalled. I got the Art Institute's general premise, and I agree with it. Surely they can find older, cultured Black women who would LOVE to serve as docents but were never asked....

[LAS14]

13. The problem isn't whether or not they could improve the docent program, the problem...

.... is fodder for the right wing in 2022 and 2024. This is the sort of story that you can worry about even if you're not a nutty right winger. Just a not-too-with-it right winger.

[Raine1967]

21. I read the NYT article yesterday. That very concern was shared in the article, but

I think that distracted from the greater point of the article.

I understand what you are saying about the RW and fodder. Those in charge of the RWOM (right-wing outrage machine) will find something in anything to get people outraged.

Having said that, I find it bothersome that a world-class Museum needs to care about the very people that generally have no interest in culture and the arts. There is another hand for me here.

The Docents, as unpaid volunteers, are there because for decades they have enough money and are generally retired women (that's the vibe I got from the article). I don't think they should have been let go as they are slated to -- instead, a phase-out would have been a better way to go. I do think it's a good thing to bring in more diverse people to shed new light on the artworks in museums. I feel for the docents, I do.

We need more diversity in museums. We need more people paid for those positions as well. The RW doesn't care one wit about the arts.

They've created outrage over a vaccine -- of course, they were going to do this about the museum.

Hell, a few years ago they were trashing Keurig machines. They thru french wine down the drain years before that. It's on brand for lunatics.

[LAS14]

41. Well stated.

[spooky3]

50. +1

[LeftInTX]

42. I can't read the article, but I wish they would have allowed both

The current docents could mentor the younger incoming group. It would be win-win.

I am currently being phased out as a Master Gardener....We're volunteers, however we "cost" the Extension Service...It costs more money to run the Master Gardener program than what it saves

[MenloParque]

14. Be more worried about gas prices.

Museums no. I would be more worried about the Mexican working class guys I saw at the gas station blaming the gas prices on Joe. I chimed in and said the President has nothing to do with the prices. I got a ‘Fuck you Negrita’in return. I just can’t anymore.

[LAS14]

16. Yeah, but the suburban Republican crowd that voted for Biden may be swayed...

... by fear of more of these decisions if the Dems take over for real. It's not that WE'RE worried about museums. It's that we should be worried about the GOP anti-Trumpers who may swing back in the face of the swelling campaign to highlight stories like these on the part of the far right.

[malletgirl02]

45. They called you a racial slur

just for disagreeing with you? I am so sorry that happened to you. If these are the same kind of people we are supposed to engage in respectful dialogue with then I am not interested.

[MenloParque]

46. I was just as shocked as you. Real nice on a rainy Sunday morning.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

15. I worry more about people on the left dialing back equity and justice measures for fear of scaring

right-wing voters.

[blogslug]

17. The way I see it, a whole lot of incurious people will learn what a Docent is

As for their "outrage", the yappity yaps will yap about it for a couple of days until they move on to the next outrage.

[LAS14]

18. There is an ongoing, concerted effort by the GOP to highlight every instance...

... of "the cancel culture" they can. It will not go away on the outlets they watch. I wish I had some links but at the moment my info comes from TV.

[blogslug]

19. Why would you think I don't know this?

I am fully aware of how they operate. Keeping viewers and readers scared and angry sells a lotta soap.

[Irish_Dem]

20. I think we should stop being afraid of doing the right thing.

The GOP is going to hate us and criticize us no matter what we do.
Might as well just go ahead and do the right thing.

They want us to be afraid and paralyzed with inaction.
That furthers their narrative that we are the do nothing party.

[BootinUp]

22. +1

[Irish_Dem]

25. The GOP will criticize us no matter what, might as well be criticized for doing the right thing.

[tulipsandroses]

23. Exactly! These discussions always remind me of MLK's letter from a Birmingham Jail

Speaking to wishy washy so called white allies. I’m going to echo a recent statement from Rev Al, it’s not enough to be “woke”. If you woke, don’t dream about what should or could be happening. Get up, and do something. I am so damn tired of white folks who think that protecting white people’s feelings and fragility needs to be centered above all else.

[Irish_Dem]

24. Right, if we are intimidated into doing nothing, then we are just taking up space on this planet.

I always told my daughter, do you want to be a positive force or a negative one here on Earth.
Or just take up space?

[LAS14]

27. Doing something more gradually is not doing nothing. nt

[Irish_Dem]

28. I agree 100%. We can be smart about how we do things.

It is the doing nothing ever that is the problem.

[LAS14]

29. The point is not protecting white people's feelings. The point is winning....

... in 2022 and 2024 and presenting ourselves as unable to do anything except in an either/or way is frightening to a constituency we need.

[MichMan]

35. I don't see a connection between firing art museum volunteers & GOTV

[Ferrets are Cool]

34. +1

[stillcool]

26. whatever happens in the next 2 years..

will be the Democrats fault. Might as well get used to it, instead of freaking out every day over what "they're going to say' either a year from now, or 3 years from now. No need for all the bullshit, when a eff them works fine.

[Solly Mack]

30. Diversity is not a dirty word. By creating an opportunity for more people to work at the museum -

and not just volunteers who can afford to work for free - the museum becomes a place where more and more people will see as open and available to them and not just some place they went to on a school trip - once - or a place that feels more like it belongs to certain people and not others.

A more diverse work force in all areas of society creates options, creates opportunities.

Future artists who couldn't afford to volunteer can now spend time in their creative field and teach/share it with others. Especially true for those still in school.

The museum becomes more inclusive.

That helps to break down barriers.

In simple terms, think what it meant to black kids to see an African-American President. Think what an inspiration Kamala Harris is to kids who look like her.

It matters - and it matters a lot - to see faces that look like you in positions of power as well as in places that seem out of reach.

A lot of people still don't understand that some places/some areas of society still fairly scream "white people only" - and this is especially true when all the faces you see are white ones.

If working to create a more inclusive society scares people - well, there's a word for those people.

Bigots.


I saw nothing that prevents the current docents from applying for one of the new paying positions. In fact, they were encouraged to apply for the educator jobs. If they choose not to that's on them.

All the outrage?

Fart noises from bigots.

[LAS14]

32. The point is not that diversity is not a goal to aim for. It's that doing it...

... in such a sudden, un-nuanced way, showing no awareness of the complexities of the situation, dismissing people because of their race, is not the way to do it if you want the support of middle of the road citizens.

I wish I could remember the idiom that describes attacking the most extreme version of someone's position. But I can't at the moment, so I'll have to settle for telling you that you're attacking the most extreme version of the position that says what the Art Institute did was not wise.

[Solly Mack]

36. It's Reductio Ad Absurdum. It's not an idiom and you're also incorrect that I used it.

I read the entire article and those complaining in the article are treating diversity as a dirty word. A bunch of bigoted right-wingers and right-wing publications.

They are not getting rid of people because of their race. They are ending their docent program and creating paying jobs to fill those roles instead.

They invited the current docents to apply for the job(s) of educators. It's right there in the NYTimes article. How can they be getting rid of people based on their race if they are telling those exact same people to apply for the jobs?

They wish to create a more inclusive environment and by paying money they'll attract a more diverse work force.

[MichMan]

38. One would hope there is a whole lot of qualified art experts in the Chicago area

that meet the diversity requirements, whom are either unemployed or are willing to quit their current jobs for these positions. I wonder what the pay and benefits are?

I wouldn't think they would hire very many of the current volunteers, as that would negate the reason of getting rid of them in the first place.

I guess they will find out.

[Solly Mack]

39. They'll end up with a mixture of people who will be educators and those who will do other jobs

at the museum - all the jobs that the volunteer docents once did. I also think some of the docents will apply.

Not a bad thing going forward. I wish them luck and I hope many people apply for the jobs.

Right-wingers complain regardless. They attack regardless. They turn everything into a reason to express their bigotry.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

44. Well said.

[MichMan]

31. Telling dedicated volunteers they aren't wanted anymore and to go away

I've served as a volunteer docent at a local museum. It was done for the love of the museum and knowledge of the exhibits. Places are happy to take anyone who wants to volunteer and find them a role.

The Art Institute of Chicago must have a whole bunch of $$ they don't know what to do with apparently if they are going to hire everyone as an employee. Most museums are always short on funds.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

54. The $$ impact is probably larger than just salaries.

I'd bet that some (many?) docents, wealthy enough to donate their time, effort, expertise, aren't merely working "for free". They're probably also making significant donations to the museum. Some of those who are dismissed may not be as enthusiastic with their financial support.

[Doremus]

49. Nothingburger.

[Shellback Squid]

51. it's too early to worry, lots of time left, and investigations