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You see, there are so many kids in this country who look at places like museums and concert halls and other cultural centers and they think to themselves, ‘well, that’s not a place for me, for someone who looks like me, for someone who comes from my neighborhood.’ In fact, I guarantee you that right now, there are kids living less than a mile from here who would never in a million years dream that they would be welcome in this museum. And growing up on the South Side of Chicago, I was one of those kids myself. So I know that feeling of not belonging in a place like this. And today, as first lady, I know how that feeling limits the horizons of far too many of our young people.
What a load of crap. As an artist myself, I know this much to be true. THE ONLY damn reason you feel the museums do not belong to you is because you DO NOT appreciate arts. Many people don't find arts interesting or appealing. Has nothing to do with the color of their skins. Period.
You see, there are so many kids in this country who look at places like museums and concert halls and other cultural centers and they think to themselves, ‘well, that’s not a place for me, for someone who looks like me, for someone who comes from my neighborhood.’ In fact, I guarantee you that right now, there are kids living less than a mile from here who would never in a million years dream that they would be welcome in this museum. And growing up on the South Side of Chicago, I was one of those kids myself. So I know that feeling of not belonging in a place like this. And today, as first lady, I know how that feeling limits the horizons of far too many of our young people.
What a load of crap. As an artist myself, I know this much to be true. THE ONLY damn reason you feel the museums do not belong to you is because you DO NOT appreciate arts. Many people don't find arts interesting or appealing. Has nothing to do with the color of their skins. Period.
Actually, many kids from homes that don't appreciate the art or that live in neighborhoods of working class or low income people truly do feel that museums aren't places they should be. They think those places are only for richer people and so they don't want to go due to that.
I know this because I felt the same way as a kid. I felt very uncomfortable at the thought of going to our local museum ( which is small but is world class and is a wonderful place). Luckily we did go there on field trips and the docents and staff people expressed to us that our museum was for everyone in our area, no matter their class or neighborhood. We also got offered catalogs for art classes, most of which focused on the museum's collection and our thoughts and interpretation of the works. Through that program, my brother and I both acquired an appreciation for the arts. Unfortunately, not all museums are like the one I went to as a kid and some of them do come off as rather snobby and unwelcome places.
No one is born with an appreciation for art. They may have an interest in art but to appreciate it, one needs to have an interaction with it and with people who appreciate it.
ETA: Many museums are also very expensive to attend. Now a days they do usually have a free day, but not in all areas. Where I grew up the museum is free everyday I went multiple times per week from aged 10 and up because I could ride my bike over and just go in by myself (this was the late 80s/early 90s before people got nutso about kids going places by themselves).
Perhaps it's relevant that many kids of any race aren't really interested in spending their time at museums, concert halls and cultural centers. It might look more normal without the blinders.
To the OP, she never said that museums make "minority" people not feel welcome.
It is you and your ilk who are putting a racial focus on all her comments. Guess you have to start a new racial thread about Michelle Obama now that the other one was closed.
When this one is closed, will you start one about how racist she is for starting a program to get housing for veterans??
Actually, many kids from homes that don't appreciate the art or that live in neighborhoods of working class or low income people truly do feel that museums aren't places they should be. They think those places are only for richer people and so they don't want to go due to that.
I know this because I felt the same way as a kid. I felt very uncomfortable at the thought of going to our local museum ( which is small but is world class and is a wonderful place). Luckily we did go there on field trips and the docents and staff people expressed to us that our museum was for everyone in our area, no matter their class or neighborhood. We also got offered catalogs for art classes, most of which focused on the museum's collection and our thoughts and interpretation of the works. Through that program, my brother and I both acquired an appreciation for the arts. Unfortunately, not all museums are like the one I went to as a kid and some of them do come off as rather snobby and unwelcome places.
No one is born with an appreciation for art. They may have an interest in art but to appreciate it, one needs to have an interaction with it and with people who appreciate it.
ETA: Many museums are also very expensive to attend. Now a days they do usually have a free day, but not in all areas. Where I grew up the museum is free everyday I went multiple times per week from aged 10 and up because I could ride my bike over and just go in by myself (this was the late 80s/early 90s before people got nutso about kids going places by themselves).
Quote:
No one is born with an appreciation for art. They may have an interest in art but to appreciate it, one needs to have an interaction with it and with people who appreciate it.
And....That usually begins with the parents. If your parents don't fancy art then you most likely won't be exposed to it. There's nothing wrong with that. Plenty of successful and happy people know nothing about art and that's due to their upbringing or possibly life choices. It's not due to discrimination as Ms. Obama implies......
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