Writing Prompt: Honoring Our History & Culture
Inspired by the Administration's "review of the Smithsonian."
Hello writers,
For this week’s writing prompt, write about an exhibition, object, or work of art in a museum that has touched your life, changed your perspective, or helped you to understand something about the world around you.
For the past several years, I have facilitated creative writing workshops utilizing works of art at a Smithsonian museum. Part of the experience was my learning about American stories and turning those stories into writing prompts. I really enjoyed it, and it enriched my understanding of our country and people.
(A couple of months ago the executive director of the National Portrait Gallery was forced out by the Administration.)
As a kid, my dad would bring our family to Smithsonian museums on the weekends, and when we had family in town. Smithsonian museums are world-class institutions and totally free. Through these field trips, I developed a deep love for museum-going. Museums now feel like special places for me.
I love art galleries, history museums, museums of music and sports, and culture. But, museums, in particular the Smithsonian museums, are under attack.
In this week’s news: The Trump Administration is giving Smithsonian museums 120 days to replace “divisive or ideologically driven language with unifying, historically accurate and constructive descriptions.” Read the New York Times article here.
Whether you have been to a Smithsonian museum or another museum, please take a few minutes to consider what these institutions have given to you, and how they may have enriched your life. We need museums and the diversity of perspectives they provide to create a richer, fuller understanding of history, people, culture and society.
Here is additional reading (may require subscription to read):