3/24 Social Justice in the Time of Pandemic: the National Museum of American History

Our seminar series resumed after Spring Break with a look at how the National Museum of American History (NMAH) is addressing issues of social justice in this time of pandemic we have all been living through. Our presenters for the afternoon were  Dr. Orlando Serrano, Manager of Youth and Teacher Programs at NMAH and Ms. Patty Ortega, Center for Restorative History project coordinator who specializes in Latinx community building and politics and the ways in which museums can develop community centered practices.

Dr. Serrano began the afternoon, Using the “Many Voices, One Nation” exhibit and  the “Becoming US” website that provides educational tools and strategies to compliment the exhibit. Using the theme of migration he reminded the group of the diversity of people who have come from all over the world to the United States and who have played roles in shaping the economic, cultural and political landscape of the country. He spoke to the questions museum staffs work to address such as how and why migration should be talked about and how telling these stories can be used to counter negative stereotypes. Fellows were quick to see how the many resources in “Becoming US” could be adapted to a population of college students.

Following a short break, Ms. Ortega began her presentation on “Responding to Community Needs.” She  reviewed the efforts of the undocumented organizing collecting initiative which has worked not just to collect objects but also to record oral histories over the last two decades. Examples of these stories were shared, a testament to the power of narrative. The pandemic brought these efforts to a sudden stop. The team then responded to a need to create and make available educational bilingual materials for children that did not require technology- again, responding to a community need. Once again, Fellows were quick to see the many ways in which the information presented could be used to benefit their students. It was interesting to hear that some of her work was the result of a collaboration with a Montgomery College Digital Storytelling intern.

Both presentations led to thoughtful discussions and once again, it was a content-rich, resource-filled afternoon.