Understanding Social Justice

At MMA we believe that in order to create a more inclusive society, and to present history in a more inclusive manner, we must have a larger dedication to diversity, equity, and inclusion that goes beyond the culture and history we exhibit. 

The following are links that explain the need for museums to be political, and be a part of the change. 

Museums and Race
This group is dedicated to leading us to an understanding of why museums need to interact with and dissect race in a progressive way.

Center Culture Labs
This group also has a dedication to engaging our culture and our cultural institutions in intersectional, creative, and open conversation about race, racism, and culture. 

Talking about Race Web Portal
The Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture launched this web portal in order to help both communities of people and individuals. The portal intends to help the users understand the way in which race, racism, and identity shapes our societies and our individual experiences in life. 

Statement from Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch
This statement from the Smithsonian, though short, calls for the need for inclusion and why it is important for institutions to dedicate themselves to change. 

MASS Action 
The Museum As Site for Social (MASS) Action platform has a toolkit and other accessible resources that are made to help museums understand deeper what the museums role as a political space and as an activist organization, and how to reorient museums to fit those goals.

National Landscape Study: DEAI Practices in Museums
In late 2019, a ground-breaking study was launched to better understand the current state of diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion (DEAI) practices in the museum field in the United States. The study aims its focus on closing the gap between museums progressing through changes in their equity and inclusion programming and how the leadership, institution, operations and even vendors have varying effects on the progress of diversity and inclusion in museum life

Further Reading

In order to further your understanding of the need for social justice in museum work, we have compiled these resources that might allow you to engage with others on these topics and allow yourself to engage deeper. 

37 Children's Books to help talk about Racism & Discrimination (Colours of Us)

Institutionalized Racism: A Syllabus (JSTOR)

Have Nonprofit and Philanthropy Become the White Moderate that Dr. King Warned Us About? (Nonprofit AF)

Other Resources

These resources are intended to support your work related to Diversity and Inclusion. 

Going Beyond Land Acknowledgments (Arts Midwest)

A Guide to Indigenous Land Acknowledgement (Native Governance Center)

Civil Rights in America: Racial Discrimination in Housing. A National Historic Landmarks Theme Study (National Parks Service)

This page is a work in progress, and has been created with contributions from the Michigan museum community. If you have resources or additions to suggest, please email lcbrisson@michiganmuseums.org

The Michigan Museums Association is supported in part by an award from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council

Thank you to our Partners!


Michigan Museums Association       313-334-7643       PO Box 5246, Cheboygan, MI 49721      lcbrisson@michiganmuseums.org

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