Museum Visit

1. What issues of diversity are addressed in these two exhibits?

I think the main issue of diversity that was addressed in these exhibits was the different lifestyles different ethinicities and cultures have based on where they are located and the people there. Looking at how the Our Journey's exhibit was more geared towards these individuals life's based on their biographies that were summarized. Then the Mali exhibit used the pictures as the stories that were taken by these students but it didn't focus on the lives they have had thus far, just through their pictures.


2. Pick a narrative that intrigues you (in either exhibit). Whose story is being told and how?

The narrative I chose was from the Our Journeys exhibit. Pepon Osorio was an artist, which is something that I am very interested in. He was born in Puerto Rico and also lived in New York. General statements about his life were stated with quotes and paragraphs on the board in the exhibit. What really struck me was his quote: "My heart is where humanity is." This shows not only his interests as a artist, but as a person.


3. (Our Journeys/Our Stories Exhibit)-Focus on Sandra Cisneros. How does she or does she, discuss finding her voice?

She discusses finding her voice when she was a child and she realized that she didn't want to write like her classmates or teachers. She wanted to create literature that would be enjoyed by everyone, even laborers, "mi padre," by taxi drivers, even children.

4. (Our Journeys/Our Stories Exhibit)-Based on what we have read in class for today, what do you think of the use of Spanish and English texts? Why would they do this?

I think and know that some words and phrases are easier to explain in one language as opposed to another. It might be easier for someone who speaks Russian to describe something, like slang, in Russian as opposed to English. I think it works that same way in the Naomi Leon text, as well as how the exhibit was in both English and Spanish.


5. In the Mali exhibit – please read the first introductory panel. What do they say about telling stories? Do they discuss the insider/outsider perspectives? What does this mean to you?

This exhibit is their way of reaching out to us to communicate their vision of their own life. They decided what to photograph and shared it with their friends and family, and then the MSU Museum decided to share this because as stated in the Museum: "The MSU Museum has a commitment to understand, interpret, and respect cultural diversity." I think this shows how the museum wants to show insiders AND outsiders multiple perspectives of these Malian towns and lifestyles.


6. Was there anything else that caught your eye, intrigued you, you are questioning?

I loved the photography, but I wish it was in color. I do love black and white, but some of the pictures in color might have enriched my experience just looking at the photos. I also thought it was interesting and cute as well that the captions were so simply put: Here is my friend bathing his little brother. It didn't talk about look at how big my friend's brother's belly is huge because of lack of food, or it didn't at ALL talk about the hardships... it talked about their everyday life which I thought made this experience richer.


* I visited the Museum today, 11/03/08