- To: chelsea@bitstream.net
- Subject: Fwd: FW: Fwd: The Smithsonian--Do they give a Damn? (fwd)
- From: HANGNOUT83@aol.com
- Date: Fri, 21 Nov 1997 12:17:28 -0500 (EST)
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Forwarded message:
Subj: Fwd: FW: Fwd: The Smithsonian--Do they give a Damn? (fwd)
Date: 97-11-19 13:59:13 EST
From: BENJUR
To: monitorman1@juno.com
To: JHaynes@wlrk.com,Fem Myst
To: HANGNOUT83
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Forwarded message:
Subj: Fwd: FW: Fwd: The Smithsonian--Do they give a Damn? (fwd)
Date: 97-11-18 23:34:16 EST
From: Only521
To: JUST3S,Esbesb,BENJUR
To: s-joe@students.ucuc.edu
To: rgibbs @nycp.org
Interesting.
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Forwarded message:
From: HarrisD@us.socgen.com (Harris, Dawn)
To: Audra.Bacote@ny.frb.org (Audra Bacote), bruce shead@anheuser-busch.com
(Bruce), douglawa@UMDNJ.EDU (Walter L. Douglas, Jr.), Drenice@aol.com
(Andrea), fredric_herndon@sumitomobank.com (Shahid), Gordon.Brown@ny.frb.org
(Gordon Brown), hollingsworth_yvette@jpmorgan.com (Yvette R Hollingsworth),
james@Haas.Berkeley.EDU (G. Aaron James), janice_williams@merck.com
(Williams, Janice), Joseph.Chandler@ny.frb.org (Joseph Chandler),
jpco@gte.net (James Pritchett), Karen_Jenkins@canadalife.com (Karen Jenkins),
michelled@att.com (Davis, Michelle D, CMGM CMGTL), Natalynn.Dunson@ny.frb.org
(Natalynn Dunson), NatYours@aol.com (Leah), Only521@aol.com (Only521),
ROSE.DENISE@new-orleans.med.va.gov (ROSE.DENISE), rpenning.hcp@hcp.picker.com
(Rodney), wince@chubb.com (Bill), Yvette.Washington@ny.frb.org (Yvette
Washington)
Date: 97-11-18 16:58:21 EST
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From: Msummey68
To: james.w.gaines; DSummey; Kimberry68; summeyrh; Kasgunter; rayburn1;
Dawn.Harris; whenderson; JMEDDIE
Subject: Fwd: The Smithsonian--Do they give a Damn? (fwd)
Date: Monday, November 17, 1997 10:18PM
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Forwarded message:
Subj: The Smithsonian--Do they give a Damn? (fwd)
Date: 97-11-16 16:09:09 EST
From: DJones1906
In a message dated 97-11-14 16:06:10 EST, amterry@duke-energy.com writes:
<< FYI
>>>
>>>Recently, while using our Nation's finest subway system-METRO, I
>>>stumbled upon an advertisement for the Smithsonian Institute promoting a
>>>Discover Card. It really didn't warrant any special attention exccept
>>>for one small caption under the picture of a great African American
>>>matriarch-Harriet Tubman.
>>>
>>>"...Harriet Tubman used elaborate underground railroads to help slaves
>>>to freedom when all she really needed was 'the card'
>>>
>>>Now, after reading this caption (please note this is an
>>>interpretation-almost exact, of the caption itself) I had to wonder if
>>>I-as an African American male, should be offended. The more I looked at
>>>the ad, the more enraged I became. Although, I don't share the ideas of
>>>Congresswoman Maxine Waters and comedian Dick Gregory regarding the
>>>overall conspiracy of the American "establishment" for the demise of
>>>African Americans; such blatant snipes at any culture's history should
>>>not be entertained.
>>>
>>>On today, 11/12, I phoned the Smithsonian's Dan Stevenson, Special
>>>Assistant to the Office of Executive Director of Development, who, yet
>>>amazingly un-bothered by a tax payer's frustration, is VERY familiar
>>>with the advertisement and has addressed other grievances. He-in a
>>>rather 'not this again tone,' informed me that the Smithsonian is very
>>>aware of the ad's effect on certain cultural groups. But since the ad
>>>has almost ran its course there is no need to remove them; they will be
>>>coming down in a "couple of weeks." Mr. Stevenson told me that the
>>>Smithsonian never tested the captions on a focus group. My
>>>question-just as with the Christie's (now canceled) Slave Memorabilia
>>>Auction is:
>>>
>>>If the ad were making light of the plight of Jews in Nazi Germany would
>>>it still be allowed to run its course?
>>>
>>>I think not.
>>>
>>>Mr. Stevenson (202 786-2699) gladly welcomes letters and/or phone calls
>>>but prefers that they be directed to David Umansky-Director of
>>>Communications for the Office of Public Affairs, 900 Jefferson Drive SW,
>>>Washington, DC 20560 (202 357-2627 ext. 106) dumansky@si.edu. Mr.
>>>Umansky is currently on travel, and he promises to return my call upon
>>>his return (11/17).
>>>
>>>I encourage you to forward this to all your colleagues and flood
>>>Smithsonian offices with phone calls in an attempt to have these ads
>>>removed immediately. In my opinion the Smithsonian is making light of a
>>>very serious piece of African American history.
>>>
>>>If you don't share this feeling, I'm sorry to waste your time. I always
>>>welcome suggestions/comments. >>