149 thoughts on “The search for a new Executive Director at el Museo del Barrio. What are the issues?”
BOYCOTT “townhall meeting”
I stand by my comments. This is a democracy. This is also a forum where one can express a sense of humor.
You had the choice of attending or staying home. The 80 people who showed up DID NOT represent the tens of thousands of other Puertoricans who, after hearing about it, stayed home.
Ms. Aurora Flores has been quoted in a newspaper calling Mr. Bechara a “whitey” who is “a millionaire”. Perhaps that is the reason she did not show up at the so-called town hall meeting. Her remarks are clearly racist.
UNNECESSARY HYSTERIA
Your piece is another example of expressing unnecessary hysteria.
If you have a personal vendetta and/or a contract dispute with an institution and/or its staff, I suggest you take it to the appropriate forums available to you.
Perhaps you (and your comrades) could start your own new museum, one that is reflective of your beliefs and methods.
MORE UNNECESSARY HYSTERIA
It is clear from the “response” of Ms. Flores that there is, still, unneccessary hysteria going on.
Ms. Flores: If you have a personal vendetta and/or a contract dispute with an institution and/or its staff, there are more appropriate forums for you to air your version of the story and to seek remedies.
Perhaps you (and your comrades) could start your very own museum; a museum more reflective of your beliefs and methods.
I wish you all the best. God bless America.
Las Lloronas
There is a great song titled: “La Llorona”.
I went to the town meeting and found a bunch of lloronas there. Moaning and complaining about nothing.
The poeple who came from el Museo made more sense to me.
Thank you.
Intellectuals
Red Planet: It is very intyeresting that the little group of intellectuals have certain things in common:
–None of them live in el BBarrio
–They all work in Ivory Toowers
–None of them teach in thee Fine Arts Dept.s of their schools
–None of them have curatedd/mounted shows
–None of them do fund raissing
–None of them applied for the positiopn of Director for el Museo
I could go on but you get the picture.
THE BOYCOTT WORKED
It was clear to me that the boycott worked.
I was one of the 80 people who showed up (I counted) but tens of thousands of puertoricans stayed home.
This yelling match was useless.
RE: Intellectuals
Yea, LM…the list goes on & on; but what we do know is that their Remote Access involvement entitles them to qualify for further research grants, books, tenure &c.
They also brandish a ‘shell-game’ brand of advocacy. They appear to be advocates, but as you keenly point out, they remain unscathed every time. Do you know of any true advocaate — whether front line or among the masses — that has been unscathed by their suppoort for causes, whether cultural as in this case, or otherwise.
The New Director
If you have a complaint about the new executive director for el museo you can express your opinion/point of view by writing to:
Maybe he will change his mind about taking the job.
The New Director
Before anyone makes a rude mistake it would be appropriate to give the man a chance first.
I found el museo’s web site [www.elmuseo.org] the most interesting a reassuring with the latest press release on the appointment.
RE: Las Lloronas
Are you feminizing everyone there?
What about the men who talked (e.g.Diogenes Ballester, Manuel Vega, Jose Morales, etc)? Do you consider yourself a great machote who does not cry?
The New Kid
I just checked out Zugazagoitia on the web. Hes certainly done some good curatoirial work. He has certainly gained solid administrative experience at Guggenheim.
Not that im a fool for newness, but this could be an exciting time for El Museo del Barrio.
YES: Las Lloronas
The names “Las Lloronas” comes from the title of an extremely popular song: “Llorona”.
I read somewhere this name applied to the original 4 women who instigated this whole broohaha: Aurora Flores, Arlene Davila, Deborah Quinones, and Yasmin Ramirez.
This culture of complaining has now spread further to everyone, both male and female, but I think it is metaphorically correct to call all the complainers “Las Lloronas”.
To cry is universal. To complain the way many did at the meeting was “un lloriqueo”–hence “las lloronas”.
Response to A. Flores
Not only are you “hysterical” but histrionic and a bully too.
You could take your dirty laundry out to another forum. This one is to discuss the serious issues surrounding the community and el Museo.
Winds of War
A caution:
“Beware the leader who bangs the drums of war
in order to whip the citizenry into a patriotic fervour,
for patriotism is indeed a double-edged sword. It both emboldens the blood, just as it narrows the mind…
And when the drums of war have reached a fever pitch
and the blood boils with hate and the mind has closed,
the leader will have no need in seizing the rights
of the citizenry. Rather, the citizenry, infused with fear and blinded with patriotism, will offer up all of their rights unto the leader, and gladly so.
How do I know?
For this is what I have done. And I am Caesar.”
From: Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
Latinos or Puerto Ricans?
The controversy involving the Museo del Barrio reflects the social dynamics of a changing city. The true is that Puerto Ricans have played a major role in building community institutions that have helped us, the other Latinos, in the process of finding new spaces and gaining a stronger voice in NYC public arenas.
On the other hand, the Latinization of New York is a striking reality that we cannot disregard. Each day there are more Mexicans, Dominicans and other Latinos in this city and Puerto Rican’s interests may be “strained” by these new demands from other Latino groups that are asking for a share and for effective participation in “traditional” Puerto Rican institutions.
Unfortunately, it seems that some Puerto Rican public intellectuals have assumed a “nationalist” position regarding the issues at stake in the Museo del Barrio. I don’t understand why they may fear us (the other Latinos) and why they disagree with the idea of expanding the cultural concerns of the Museo to include those Latino groups that are also sharing the same social and economic problems of our Puerto Rican brothers.
Now it’s the time to move beyond narrow nationalist interests and to find a way to accommodate the needs and cultural demands of Dominicans, Mexicans and other Latinos within “traditional” Puerto Rican institutions. Cultural institutions such as the Museo del Barrio should become the common ground for a broad Latino alliance to expand our participation in NYC political, cultural and social arenas. The true is that the real interests of the Puerto Rican community are not different from the interests of the Latino community as a totality.
R.H.
RE: The New Kid
Julian Zugazagoitia, according to the French newspaper: “Le Nouvel Observateur” of April 27, 2000, in an article titled: “The Children of Warhol” states the following:
–He was 35 y.o. {so he is now 37y.o.}.
–Son of a German Jewish Moother.
–Son of a Basque Spanish FFather who was naturalized in Mexico at the time of the Civil War.
–He was born in Mexico Citty, DF.
–He is described as “Thomaas Krens’ right hand” at the Guggenheim Museum.
Puerto Ricans AND Latinos
El Museo del Barrio has always been open to other Latinos and I dare to say that most people with whom I’ve talked about this issue, agree that it should continue to be so. Certainly there are many views about the museo, including more “nationalistic” perspectives. The issue that the Cultural Affairs committee of the Community Board 11, is focusing on, however, (as vividly displayed at the Townhall meeting), is the issue of community representation through policies and programs from artist-in-residence programs, to representation in the Board, to Latinos in upper management positions, etc. David Gibbens Chairman of Community Board 11 put it in succinct terms when he concluded the Townhall meeting with the following words: “This is not a Puerto Rican issue, this is not a Mexican issue not a Dominican issue, nor is it an Afro-Cuban issue, nor is it an African American issue. It is a peoples issue, a people of color issue, and we need to focus on that because El Museo is in our community and it is a community institution.”
Puerto Ricans AND Latinos
Ms Davila: You come across as some elitist, ivory tower academic. Out of touch with the realities of both el Barrio today and running a museum.
To be consistent you would have to do the same “town hall meeting” with all the other non-for-profit cultural institutions within CB11: Taller Boricua, Julia de Burgos Cultural Center, Museum of the City of New York, and even Mt. Sinai Hospital.
After reading all the material you have written and put out I have come to the conclusion that you have the integrity of a weathervane.
Which Community?
You keep using the word community. I have a couple of questions for you:
–Which community or communities are you talking about?
–Do you yourself live in el Barrio?
–If CB11 has a specific boundary, are you claiming that is the only community el Museo serves?
–Inside the CB11 there are many communities: Mexican, Puertorican, etc. Do you mean to say they all form one meta category?
–What about the community of museum goers? The community of people who actually use el Museo?
–The audience for, the visitors to, and the users of el Museo’s programs, constitute a veritable community. Does CB11 represent them?
–Does the appointment of Willie Colon as the “community representative” to the Board of Trustees by Mayor Michael Bloomberg cure the problem?
–Who is it that you are trying to get on the Board? There is already a community advisory board. Why can’t you work thru them?
There are plenty more questions which, to date, have not been well articulated nor presented.
This reminds me of the story of the “gallo pelon”.
ITS OVER
This is getting ridiculous.
The search for the Executive Director is over. We can now get on with the other parts of operating a succesful museum which can make all of us, Puertoricans AND all Latinos proud.
Why continue bickering? I don’t get it.
RE: Which Community?
For the record, while advertised in the museo website, the Community Advisory Board has been inactive for at least a year and a half. That’s why people at Townhall asked for spaces for representation.
RE: Intellectuals
I do not know what intellecturals you are talking about since I do live in El Barrio, was raised in El Barrio, have had a long family (100) year history of family in El Barrio, have curated shows, have been an award winning journalist and community activist in El Barrio. No, I did not apply for the position of Ex. Dir. of El Museo because it is not my field but there were many Qualified BORICUAS who did and were not considered. But that is not the point.
The point here is one of CLASS. There are many who try to paint a racial, or ethnocentric smoke screen but the fundamental issue here is one of upper class, disconnected “culture vulture” snobs trying to dictate and exclude the community activists, parents, educators and artists who created El Museo Del Barrio and the positions they pretend to hold. This was made very clear when Mr. Tony Bichu (chair) noted at the Town Hall meeting that he was happy to announce that El Museo was going to exhibit the world famous artist “Francisco” Tufiño. He does not even know the name of the Father of Puerto Rican art, Rafael Tufiño.
No one is against having a “world class” museum but not at the expense of the BARRIO Community that gave it birth. When was the last time that this museo had an exhibit of Dominican Artists or for that matter real Mexicans from Puebla who are residing in El Barrio. The answer is never.
What people want is a reconciliation between the people of El Barrio, meaning poor and working class and the supposed “upper crust” who consider themselves part of a world class community that talks about these “upper classes” in same way that they view the incoming immigrants, or Lloronas or anything else that you “classy” (assy) people want to call us.
That’s all that people want. To have REAL REPRESENTATION on the board, not a bogus “community relations board” that I have witnessed the El Museo staff and board “wipe their collective upper class asses” with.
As the other Puerto Rican saying goes, “A monkey dressed in silk is still a monkey.” Pa’ lo’ que no sepan Español.
Aurora Flores
Unlike others on this discussion board I have no reason to hide my name or anger over the “come mierderia” going on over this issue.
RE: MORE UNNECESSARY HYSTERIA
We did. It was called El Museo del Barrio. And this, and any other public forum is an appropriate venue to clarify the lies, misinformation and out and out arrogance of people such as yourself. As I stated before, if you have a problem with what I’m saying, why don’t you tell me to my face. But I see that you do not have the intestinal fortitude to do that and are still trying hard to defend the indefensible. All we are asking is for representation of the people who gave birth to this institution rather than the “come miereria” that I hear coming out of you.
You did not bother to defend any of the false charges you made before. And this is still a free country — God Bless it — where I can air my views anywhere I want. Or does this bother you so much you have reduced yourself to the low life status that you and your comrades are trying so hard to run from? I will not bother to answer any more of your TOTAL NONSENSE on this forum since you are making it so clear that you are grasping at straws. If you wish to have a serious, equitable and respectable discussion to try and even defend the gibberish that you are spewing,,,,, my telephone number is 212.410.2999. Call me if you dare.
Aurora Flores
RE: MORE UNNECESSARY HYSTERIA
We did. It was called El Museo del Barrio. And this, and any other public forum is an appropriate venue to clarify the lies, misinformation and out and out arrogance of people such as yourself. As I stated before, if you have a problem with what I’m saying, why don’t you tell me to my face. But I see that you do not have the intestinal fortitude to do that and are still trying hard to defend the indefensible. All we are asking is for representation of the people who gave birth to this institution rather than the “come miereria” that I hear coming out of you.
You did not bother to defend any of the false charges you made before. And this is still a free country — God Bless it — where I can air my views anywhere I want. Or does this bother you so much you have reduced yourself to the low life status that you and your comrades are trying so hard to run from? I will not bother to answer any more of your TOTAL NONSENSE on this forum since you are making it so clear that you are grasping at straws. If you wish to have a serious, equitable and respectable discussion to try and even defend the gibberish that you are spewing,,,,, my telephone number is 212.410.2999. Call me if you dare.
Aurora Flores
El Museo Su Principio y Su Futuro
As a Latino (Panamanien) who grew up in the Puertorican community, I feel the necessity to express my views on El Museo del Barrio controversy.
First let me establish that in spite of 40 years in this country, I am still a Panameño first and foremost.
I am one of a sprinkling of Latinos that lived in the Latino community which was predominantely Puertorican in the 60s , 70s and part of the 80s. It was the Puertorican community that took me in. It was a time when anything that any latino did was attributed, or better said “blamed,” on Puertoricans.
I feel privileged to have been a part of the political rise of the Puertorican community and it is that rise that gave birth to the Museo del Barrio among many other institutions that we, as a Latino community, now enjoy.
El Museo del Barrio rose out of the struggle of the Puertorican community. It was founded with public money. The reason for its existence was to showcase the culture of a particular identity of people while educating its children and future generations on its history.
The particular identity is that of the people of the Puertorican colony and its migrant experience and the New York or mainland based Puertoricans. It was designed to reflect the cultural expressions of that particular experience. Since its inception, I have never known it to close its doors on the culture of other Latinos. However, it must remain true to the spirit of its founding mission.
Latinos from other nations need a museo but it must NOT be created at the expense of a community very much still under attack, very much in need of reaffirming and nourishing its cultural expressions. A Latino museo must NOT exist at the expense of the people who laid the foundation and opened the doors for all of us in the East coast of the United States. nomatter how much money any Latino of any nationality can throw around for any cultural philanthropic purposes.
Un Panameño con Puerto Rico en su Corazon
Vicente “Panama” Alba
RE: UNNECESSARY HYSTERIA response 3
We did start our own museo, it’s called El Museo del Barrio. And since this is still a free country, I am entitled to express the REAL FACTS in whatever venue I please, thank you very much.
However, I do not feel like getting into a pissing match with someone who feels the need for expressing third hand information. Apparently, you do not have the intestinal fortitude to defend the indefensible in a serious, respectable or equitable manner like emailing me privately or even calling me. My number is public, I live in El Barrio and have a 100 year family history here, countrary to what the other geniuses on this forum have said. I have also curated shows and have fundraised in the hundreds of thousands for REALprestigious intitutions such as the MOMA and other mainstream museums who have the good sense of hiring a real community professional without the Class Prejudices that El Museo seems to have.
The Real Issue @ El Museo is one of CLASS, not nationalism or ethnocentrism. It is an issue of upper class, self-hating Latinos who want nothing to do with the Nuyoricans or other poor or working class Latinos who make up El Barrio. When was the last time El Museo had an Exhibit for Dominicans or Mexicans from Puebla? In fact, if Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo were alive today they would have personally taken down that exhibit in protest of the “come miereria” being expressed by that administration. And to point to a “Community Advisory Board” that I personally witnessed El Museo staff and board “wipe their ass” with is bogus indeed.
When a bunch of “culture vultures’ get together and go to a Town Hall meeting to announce that their next exhibit will be of the world famous artist “Francisco” Tufiño instead of Rafael Tufiño, then I know we’re in big time trouble from disconnected elitist who know nothing of our struggle or history.
It is amazing to me that the simple request of having REAL Representation from the parents, activists and communitiy artists that made this Museo a reality on this colonialized board is being met with such rancor, anger, misinformation, petty gossip, name calling and denegration… You should all be ashamed.
Like the saying goes, “El que no llora, no mama.” And all we want is real voting representation on this board and this is the reaction from the so-called “educated” Latinos.
This is my last response on this. If you wish to act like a real educated professional instead of a low-life bochinchoso, my # is 212.410.2999.
Aurora Flores
RE: Response to A. Flores
I’m a bully but you chose initials to respond. Gee, what a warrior you are. Again, if you and your co-horts wish to attack, why don’t you have to nerve to show “face.” You should all be ashamed.
Aurora Flores
RE: real or imposter
I justed wanted to make sure that anyone who reads a posting from gpena, gladys pena and variation on that name, that it is not me. Unfortunately, it is someone with my name or even worse someone using my name to make statements that I do not in anyway support. Those who know me,know my true position. If you have any doubt, please feel free to contact me at my e-mail. The other gpena should also include her e-mail.
RE: ITS not over until its over
El Museo will not be a source of pride to anyone, not to the Puerto Ricans or the Latinos, especially those who live in the US. There doesn’t seem to be anyone in the Museum who is really interested in preserving any type of culture and it appears that no-one is really clear about the true purpose of a museum, except to promote elitist international eurocentric ideas of what cultur is–since apparently you don’t don’t know what the work of a museum should be, you have simply religated your position to a simple matter of bickering. You have missed the point completely and thats not a good thing.
Maybe you should watch less television and visit a few museums.
TO MESSAGE BOARD PARTICIPANTS
ANOTHER GLADYS PENA OR AN IMPOSTOR? WHAT FOLLOWS IS A MESSAGE FROM GLADYS PENA ACOSTA WHO IS AN INDEPENDENT CURATOR AND ARTS CONSULTANT. SHE HAS NOT MADE POSTING PRIOR TO SEPTEMBER 30. THERE MAY BE
ANOTHER PERSON WITH THE SAME NAME WHO HAS BEEN MAKING POSTINGS PRIOR TO THAT DATE. THEY ARE TWO SEPARATE, VERY DIFFERENT PEOPLE.
I have received several calls regarding the postings with my name, sometimes as gpena or Gladys Pena. I want to assure all of my colleagues and friends that I have not made any of the postings, to date. Everyone that is familiar with my background and work understand profoundly my position
regarding El Museo. I am very disturbed by those individuals that are making derogatory statements about those who have the courage to make a public statement regarding the situation with El Museo–After reading several of the
statements by people that I know I am also questioning whether in fact those people actually posted them. We need to know, and everyone should include their e-mail so that if necessary we can verify the source.
Please let me know how this can be clarified–since I find it very objectionable that someone using my name is posting statements on a subject that I am very involved with and that these statements do not represent my position on the matter.
PERSONAL ATTACKS AND INSULTS JEOPARDIZE OPEN FORUM
Personal attacks and insults do not forward any discussion or debate, let alone clarity and understanding.
We ask that you not post these types of messages. We want to keep a free and open forum. These types of postings jeopardize this.
MORE UNNECESSARY HYSTERIA
This forum is on the issues about the search for a new executive director at el Museo del Barrio–according to the heading.
If you have a personal vendetta or dispute with el Museo I suggest you take it elsewhere.
In a forum anyone can speak (post) and just because you post something longer, more threatening, more hysterical, histrionic, and bullying makes it right.
You are entitled to your own opinions as others are entitled to their own.
Community Advisory Board
Perhaps you could lead and propose that you be the new chair of the Community Advisory Board.
Response to A. Flores
If one party is a “bully” that does not make te other a “warrior”.
One of the tactics used by “bullies” is to intimidate others by direct threats.
We are watching you & your words, it is very easy to see that it is not the voice of reason.
I am Gladys E. Pena Bernal
My name is Gladys E. Pena Bernal. I was born in Caguas, Puerto Rico, and I live in El Barrio. I am a human being with flesh and blood, not an “impostor” for anyone. I do not know Ms. Gladys V. Pena Acosta personally but others tell me her last name has the little hat on the n (~) which my last name does not have.
I have written what is posted in this forum and had not put my e-mail address since it was something optional and I did not want any more junk e-mail.
I will put my e-mail address and full name in all my postings from today on. If the web administrator is able to I would consent to having my e-mail address added onto my prior postings.
Thank you very much.
My views are those which I posted previosuly.
Thank you for your cooperation and contribution
Ms. Pena,
Thank you for your prompt response and your contributions to this discussion. Your participation and concern about the topic are appreciated.
Your posting should serve to clarify any misunderstanding or confusion. Again, thank you for your cooperation and please continue to contribute.
Request for your consideration
Could any reference in previous postings to an “impostor” be edited out?
Thank you for your consideration.
RE: The New Director
Wouldn’t that be nice
RE: ITS OVER
This is not only about the executive director, but about community participation and issues of representation. It is never over. It is a work in progress and if we don’t keep working on it we will be responsible for our own exclusion from the art world.
RE: BOYCOTT “townhall meeting”
As the remarks of those who don’t want participation of the community in the museum are clearly elitist and paternalistic.
BOYCOTT “townhall meeting”
Which community are you referring to?
el Museo represents many communities, has the imput of many communities, the support of many communities, shows/presents the art of many artists from many communities–including a “dead” community from 1,600 miles away: the Tainos.
If you had 7,500 square feet of exhibition space how would you “show” the community you are representing?
ITS OVER
Yes it is over. Once a Director is named then there is nothing else to fight over–unless you wish to rake old coals.
There was el Museo then and there is el Museo now:
I am a 100% PUERTORICAN and I LOVE EL MUSEO now more than ever.
I loved the mid-career show of Jose Morales; I loved the Taino shows; I loved the Frida Kahlo & Diego Rivera show; I loved the young, up & coming artists from all of el Barrio (wherever it may be) on the S-Files show (including a big James de la Vega on the courtyard); I loved the 6 Puertorican artists in the “Here…There” show; I look forward to the Tufin~o show.
You see a museum (and there is no question the founders founded a museum (they did not call it “la casa de todos nosotros” nor “El Museo Boricua” which they could have) presents, collects, educates about our art. El museo is not a social services agency, nor a political party, nor a club for the disenfranchised nor disgruntled.
El Museo makes me PROUD to be Puertorican. The history of the institution cannot be erased nor changed any more than you could erase or change the history of Taller Boricua, or the Asia Society. It is there FOREVER.
RE: Response 3
Dear Aurora:
If you need a bar of soap I think there is an 800 number you can call:
1-800-WASH-YOUR-MOUTH!!!
I love you but my GOD, what is happening to you?
Response 3
Ms Flores:
Have you had your serotonin levels checked?
Gladys E. Pena Bernal
PERSONAL ATTACKS AND INSULTS JEOPARDIZE OPEN FORUM
After reading this entire forum I find the postings of Aurora Flores to be the most offensive and counterproductive. They are the most insulting to a large segment of our community.
Can the web master delete those postings or filter them in the future?
Better yet can somebody create some other forum just for her?
REQUIEM for El MUSEO
Naming a non-puertorican to be the new leader of el Museo del Barrio is the last nail in the coffin of our pride and joy.
R.I.P.
RE: REQUIEM for El MUSEO
Dont be so sure about that. Also, do not assume that there have ever been any nails in the coffin; or, for that matter, that there ever was a coffin.
If the displeasure with the previous administrator was justificable…well, es puertorriquena de pura cepa!
If youre disatisfied with the trajectory that El Museo has been on since moving from Third Avenue; well, all ofthe previous administrators have also been Puerto Ricans.
If I may, Id like to offer another scenario, even if an explosive one. We Puerto Rican artists want to be recognized internationally. Doesnt that mean that we have to compete within an international community.
Is it really possible that we want to opt for the ghetto at this time. Is it possible, just possible, that an administrator with the breadth that Zugaragoita brings might catapult deserving Puerto Rican artists on to the international markets.
REQUIEM for El MUSEO
Red Planet: Fascinating thoughts….and I find them truly compelling.
Perhaps el Museo as we know it has expired of natural causes (all of them Puertorican)….1969-2002.
Another entity is about to be born, with no Puertorican at its helm…perhaps never again. We lost it.
But let us mourn and grieve as we should…what is tragic is that on the eve of celebrating Puertorican Heritage month, we are burying our dead little museo.
Like the apotheosic “El Velorio” by Francisco Oller.
RE: REQUIEM for El MUSEO
Esto no El Velorio de El Museo, mi hermano!
We might just see a stronger presence of Puerto Rican artists than under previous administration: on a larger arena. Any administration can change. That does not automatically constitute a substantive change.
There is nothing whatever that suggests that future administrations will not be Puerto Rican. Nothing at all.
Puerto Rico is part of the Latino World. We are not a ghetto; why behave as if we were. In Puerto Rico, you have every single strain of Spanish gene: Basque, Castillian, &c.
If we went to be part of that bigger picture, it means that we have to be part of that bigger picture.
There is nothing lost; perhaps much will be gained.
Velorio, no!!!!
RE: RE: REQUIEM for El MUSEO
To Red Planet: You sound so sure–do you really believe that a guy like Julian, who is emersed in international/european easthetics is really interested in promoted Puerto Rican or Latino artist from the New York scene–do you really think that he is interested in creating a world class museum out of a Museum born out of the Puerto Rican experience. Seventy five percent of El Museo’s collection is Puerto Rican–what do you think is going to happen to those objects–do you know what happened to the Vidal Smithsonian collection? Where do you think a person like Julian would like to be 3 to 5 years from now?
Sorry, El Museo is lost–its the worse thing that has happen to our community–both Puerto Rican and Latinos.
BOYCOTT “townhall meeting”
I stand by my comments. This is a democracy. This is also a forum where one can express a sense of humor.
You had the choice of attending or staying home. The 80 people who showed up DID NOT represent the tens of thousands of other Puertoricans who, after hearing about it, stayed home.
Ms. Aurora Flores has been quoted in a newspaper calling Mr. Bechara a “whitey” who is “a millionaire”. Perhaps that is the reason she did not show up at the so-called town hall meeting. Her remarks are clearly racist.
UNNECESSARY HYSTERIA
Your piece is another example of expressing unnecessary hysteria.
If you have a personal vendetta and/or a contract dispute with an institution and/or its staff, I suggest you take it to the appropriate forums available to you.
Perhaps you (and your comrades) could start your own new museum, one that is reflective of your beliefs and methods.
MORE UNNECESSARY HYSTERIA
It is clear from the “response” of Ms. Flores that there is, still, unneccessary hysteria going on.
Ms. Flores: If you have a personal vendetta and/or a contract dispute with an institution and/or its staff, there are more appropriate forums for you to air your version of the story and to seek remedies.
Perhaps you (and your comrades) could start your very own museum; a museum more reflective of your beliefs and methods.
I wish you all the best. God bless America.
Las Lloronas
There is a great song titled: “La Llorona”.
I went to the town meeting and found a bunch of lloronas there. Moaning and complaining about nothing.
The poeple who came from el Museo made more sense to me.
Thank you.
Intellectuals
Red Planet: It is very intyeresting that the little group of intellectuals have certain things in common:
–None of them live in el BBarrio
–They all work in Ivory Toowers
–None of them teach in thee Fine Arts Dept.s of their schools
–None of them have curatedd/mounted shows
–None of them do fund raissing
–None of them applied for the positiopn of Director for el Museo
I could go on but you get the picture.
THE BOYCOTT WORKED
It was clear to me that the boycott worked.
I was one of the 80 people who showed up (I counted) but tens of thousands of puertoricans stayed home.
This yelling match was useless.
RE: Intellectuals
Yea, LM…the list goes on & on; but what we do know is that their Remote Access involvement entitles them to qualify for further research grants, books, tenure &c.
They also brandish a ‘shell-game’ brand of advocacy. They appear to be advocates, but as you keenly point out, they remain unscathed every time. Do you know of any true advocaate — whether front line or among the masses — that has been unscathed by their suppoort for causes, whether cultural as in this case, or otherwise.
The New Director
If you have a complaint about the new executive director for el museo you can express your opinion/point of view by writing to:
jzugazagoitia@guggenheim.org
Maybe he will change his mind about taking the job.
The New Director
Before anyone makes a rude mistake it would be appropriate to give the man a chance first.
I found el museo’s web site [www.elmuseo.org] the most interesting a reassuring with the latest press release on the appointment.
RE: Las Lloronas
Are you feminizing everyone there?
What about the men who talked (e.g.Diogenes Ballester, Manuel Vega, Jose Morales, etc)? Do you consider yourself a great machote who does not cry?
The New Kid
I just checked out Zugazagoitia on the web. Hes certainly done some good curatoirial work. He has certainly gained solid administrative experience at Guggenheim.
Not that im a fool for newness, but this could be an exciting time for El Museo del Barrio.
YES: Las Lloronas
The names “Las Lloronas” comes from the title of an extremely popular song: “Llorona”.
I read somewhere this name applied to the original 4 women who instigated this whole broohaha: Aurora Flores, Arlene Davila, Deborah Quinones, and Yasmin Ramirez.
This culture of complaining has now spread further to everyone, both male and female, but I think it is metaphorically correct to call all the complainers “Las Lloronas”.
To cry is universal. To complain the way many did at the meeting was “un lloriqueo”–hence “las lloronas”.
Response to A. Flores
Not only are you “hysterical” but histrionic and a bully too.
You could take your dirty laundry out to another forum. This one is to discuss the serious issues surrounding the community and el Museo.
Winds of War
A caution:
“Beware the leader who bangs the drums of war
in order to whip the citizenry into a patriotic fervour,
for patriotism is indeed a double-edged sword. It both emboldens the blood, just as it narrows the mind…
And when the drums of war have reached a fever pitch
and the blood boils with hate and the mind has closed,
the leader will have no need in seizing the rights
of the citizenry. Rather, the citizenry, infused with fear and blinded with patriotism, will offer up all of their rights unto the leader, and gladly so.
How do I know?
For this is what I have done. And I am Caesar.”
From: Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
Latinos or Puerto Ricans?
The controversy involving the Museo del Barrio reflects the social dynamics of a changing city. The true is that Puerto Ricans have played a major role in building community institutions that have helped us, the other Latinos, in the process of finding new spaces and gaining a stronger voice in NYC public arenas.
On the other hand, the Latinization of New York is a striking reality that we cannot disregard. Each day there are more Mexicans, Dominicans and other Latinos in this city and Puerto Rican’s interests may be “strained” by these new demands from other Latino groups that are asking for a share and for effective participation in “traditional” Puerto Rican institutions.
Unfortunately, it seems that some Puerto Rican public intellectuals have assumed a “nationalist” position regarding the issues at stake in the Museo del Barrio. I don’t understand why they may fear us (the other Latinos) and why they disagree with the idea of expanding the cultural concerns of the Museo to include those Latino groups that are also sharing the same social and economic problems of our Puerto Rican brothers.
Now it’s the time to move beyond narrow nationalist interests and to find a way to accommodate the needs and cultural demands of Dominicans, Mexicans and other Latinos within “traditional” Puerto Rican institutions. Cultural institutions such as the Museo del Barrio should become the common ground for a broad Latino alliance to expand our participation in NYC political, cultural and social arenas. The true is that the real interests of the Puerto Rican community are not different from the interests of the Latino community as a totality.
R.H.
RE: The New Kid
Julian Zugazagoitia, according to the French newspaper: “Le Nouvel Observateur” of April 27, 2000, in an article titled: “The Children of Warhol” states the following:
–He was 35 y.o. {so he is now 37y.o.}.
–Son of a German Jewish Moother.
–Son of a Basque Spanish FFather who was naturalized in Mexico at the time of the Civil War.
–He was born in Mexico Citty, DF.
–He is described as “Thomaas Krens’ right hand” at the Guggenheim Museum.
Puerto Ricans AND Latinos
El Museo del Barrio has always been open to other Latinos and I dare to say that most people with whom I’ve talked about this issue, agree that it should continue to be so. Certainly there are many views about the museo, including more “nationalistic” perspectives. The issue that the Cultural Affairs committee of the Community Board 11, is focusing on, however, (as vividly displayed at the Townhall meeting), is the issue of community representation through policies and programs from artist-in-residence programs, to representation in the Board, to Latinos in upper management positions, etc. David Gibbens Chairman of Community Board 11 put it in succinct terms when he concluded the Townhall meeting with the following words: “This is not a Puerto Rican issue, this is not a Mexican issue not a Dominican issue, nor is it an Afro-Cuban issue, nor is it an African American issue. It is a peoples issue, a people of color issue, and we need to focus on that because El Museo is in our community and it is a community institution.”
Puerto Ricans AND Latinos
Ms Davila: You come across as some elitist, ivory tower academic. Out of touch with the realities of both el Barrio today and running a museum.
To be consistent you would have to do the same “town hall meeting” with all the other non-for-profit cultural institutions within CB11: Taller Boricua, Julia de Burgos Cultural Center, Museum of the City of New York, and even Mt. Sinai Hospital.
After reading all the material you have written and put out I have come to the conclusion that you have the integrity of a weathervane.
Which Community?
You keep using the word community. I have a couple of questions for you:
–Which community or communities are you talking about?
–Do you yourself live in el Barrio?
–If CB11 has a specific boundary, are you claiming that is the only community el Museo serves?
–Inside the CB11 there are many communities: Mexican, Puertorican, etc. Do you mean to say they all form one meta category?
–What about the community of museum goers? The community of people who actually use el Museo?
–The audience for, the visitors to, and the users of el Museo’s programs, constitute a veritable community. Does CB11 represent them?
–Does the appointment of Willie Colon as the “community representative” to the Board of Trustees by Mayor Michael Bloomberg cure the problem?
–Who is it that you are trying to get on the Board? There is already a community advisory board. Why can’t you work thru them?
There are plenty more questions which, to date, have not been well articulated nor presented.
This reminds me of the story of the “gallo pelon”.
ITS OVER
This is getting ridiculous.
The search for the Executive Director is over. We can now get on with the other parts of operating a succesful museum which can make all of us, Puertoricans AND all Latinos proud.
Why continue bickering? I don’t get it.
RE: Which Community?
For the record, while advertised in the museo website, the Community Advisory Board has been inactive for at least a year and a half. That’s why people at Townhall asked for spaces for representation.
RE: Intellectuals
I do not know what intellecturals you are talking about since I do live in El Barrio, was raised in El Barrio, have had a long family (100) year history of family in El Barrio, have curated shows, have been an award winning journalist and community activist in El Barrio. No, I did not apply for the position of Ex. Dir. of El Museo because it is not my field but there were many Qualified BORICUAS who did and were not considered. But that is not the point.
The point here is one of CLASS. There are many who try to paint a racial, or ethnocentric smoke screen but the fundamental issue here is one of upper class, disconnected “culture vulture” snobs trying to dictate and exclude the community activists, parents, educators and artists who created El Museo Del Barrio and the positions they pretend to hold. This was made very clear when Mr. Tony Bichu (chair) noted at the Town Hall meeting that he was happy to announce that El Museo was going to exhibit the world famous artist “Francisco” Tufiño. He does not even know the name of the Father of Puerto Rican art, Rafael Tufiño.
No one is against having a “world class” museum but not at the expense of the BARRIO Community that gave it birth. When was the last time that this museo had an exhibit of Dominican Artists or for that matter real Mexicans from Puebla who are residing in El Barrio. The answer is never.
What people want is a reconciliation between the people of El Barrio, meaning poor and working class and the supposed “upper crust” who consider themselves part of a world class community that talks about these “upper classes” in same way that they view the incoming immigrants, or Lloronas or anything else that you “classy” (assy) people want to call us.
That’s all that people want. To have REAL REPRESENTATION on the board, not a bogus “community relations board” that I have witnessed the El Museo staff and board “wipe their collective upper class asses” with.
As the other Puerto Rican saying goes, “A monkey dressed in silk is still a monkey.” Pa’ lo’ que no sepan Español.
Aurora Flores
Unlike others on this discussion board I have no reason to hide my name or anger over the “come mierderia” going on over this issue.
RE: MORE UNNECESSARY HYSTERIA
We did. It was called El Museo del Barrio. And this, and any other public forum is an appropriate venue to clarify the lies, misinformation and out and out arrogance of people such as yourself. As I stated before, if you have a problem with what I’m saying, why don’t you tell me to my face. But I see that you do not have the intestinal fortitude to do that and are still trying hard to defend the indefensible. All we are asking is for representation of the people who gave birth to this institution rather than the “come miereria” that I hear coming out of you.
You did not bother to defend any of the false charges you made before. And this is still a free country — God Bless it — where I can air my views anywhere I want. Or does this bother you so much you have reduced yourself to the low life status that you and your comrades are trying so hard to run from? I will not bother to answer any more of your TOTAL NONSENSE on this forum since you are making it so clear that you are grasping at straws. If you wish to have a serious, equitable and respectable discussion to try and even defend the gibberish that you are spewing,,,,, my telephone number is 212.410.2999. Call me if you dare.
Aurora Flores
RE: MORE UNNECESSARY HYSTERIA
We did. It was called El Museo del Barrio. And this, and any other public forum is an appropriate venue to clarify the lies, misinformation and out and out arrogance of people such as yourself. As I stated before, if you have a problem with what I’m saying, why don’t you tell me to my face. But I see that you do not have the intestinal fortitude to do that and are still trying hard to defend the indefensible. All we are asking is for representation of the people who gave birth to this institution rather than the “come miereria” that I hear coming out of you.
You did not bother to defend any of the false charges you made before. And this is still a free country — God Bless it — where I can air my views anywhere I want. Or does this bother you so much you have reduced yourself to the low life status that you and your comrades are trying so hard to run from? I will not bother to answer any more of your TOTAL NONSENSE on this forum since you are making it so clear that you are grasping at straws. If you wish to have a serious, equitable and respectable discussion to try and even defend the gibberish that you are spewing,,,,, my telephone number is 212.410.2999. Call me if you dare.
Aurora Flores
El Museo Su Principio y Su Futuro
As a Latino (Panamanien) who grew up in the Puertorican community, I feel the necessity to express my views on El Museo del Barrio controversy.
First let me establish that in spite of 40 years in this country, I am still a Panameño first and foremost.
I am one of a sprinkling of Latinos that lived in the Latino community which was predominantely Puertorican in the 60s , 70s and part of the 80s. It was the Puertorican community that took me in. It was a time when anything that any latino did was attributed, or better said “blamed,” on Puertoricans.
I feel privileged to have been a part of the political rise of the Puertorican community and it is that rise that gave birth to the Museo del Barrio among many other institutions that we, as a Latino community, now enjoy.
El Museo del Barrio rose out of the struggle of the Puertorican community. It was founded with public money. The reason for its existence was to showcase the culture of a particular identity of people while educating its children and future generations on its history.
The particular identity is that of the people of the Puertorican colony and its migrant experience and the New York or mainland based Puertoricans. It was designed to reflect the cultural expressions of that particular experience. Since its inception, I have never known it to close its doors on the culture of other Latinos. However, it must remain true to the spirit of its founding mission.
Latinos from other nations need a museo but it must NOT be created at the expense of a community very much still under attack, very much in need of reaffirming and nourishing its cultural expressions. A Latino museo must NOT exist at the expense of the people who laid the foundation and opened the doors for all of us in the East coast of the United States. nomatter how much money any Latino of any nationality can throw around for any cultural philanthropic purposes.
Un Panameño con Puerto Rico en su Corazon
Vicente “Panama” Alba
RE: UNNECESSARY HYSTERIA response 3
We did start our own museo, it’s called El Museo del Barrio. And since this is still a free country, I am entitled to express the REAL FACTS in whatever venue I please, thank you very much.
However, I do not feel like getting into a pissing match with someone who feels the need for expressing third hand information. Apparently, you do not have the intestinal fortitude to defend the indefensible in a serious, respectable or equitable manner like emailing me privately or even calling me. My number is public, I live in El Barrio and have a 100 year family history here, countrary to what the other geniuses on this forum have said. I have also curated shows and have fundraised in the hundreds of thousands for REALprestigious intitutions such as the MOMA and other mainstream museums who have the good sense of hiring a real community professional without the Class Prejudices that El Museo seems to have.
The Real Issue @ El Museo is one of CLASS, not nationalism or ethnocentrism. It is an issue of upper class, self-hating Latinos who want nothing to do with the Nuyoricans or other poor or working class Latinos who make up El Barrio. When was the last time El Museo had an Exhibit for Dominicans or Mexicans from Puebla? In fact, if Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo were alive today they would have personally taken down that exhibit in protest of the “come miereria” being expressed by that administration. And to point to a “Community Advisory Board” that I personally witnessed El Museo staff and board “wipe their ass” with is bogus indeed.
When a bunch of “culture vultures’ get together and go to a Town Hall meeting to announce that their next exhibit will be of the world famous artist “Francisco” Tufiño instead of Rafael Tufiño, then I know we’re in big time trouble from disconnected elitist who know nothing of our struggle or history.
It is amazing to me that the simple request of having REAL Representation from the parents, activists and communitiy artists that made this Museo a reality on this colonialized board is being met with such rancor, anger, misinformation, petty gossip, name calling and denegration… You should all be ashamed.
Like the saying goes, “El que no llora, no mama.” And all we want is real voting representation on this board and this is the reaction from the so-called “educated” Latinos.
This is my last response on this. If you wish to act like a real educated professional instead of a low-life bochinchoso, my # is 212.410.2999.
Aurora Flores
RE: Response to A. Flores
I’m a bully but you chose initials to respond. Gee, what a warrior you are. Again, if you and your co-horts wish to attack, why don’t you have to nerve to show “face.” You should all be ashamed.
Aurora Flores
RE: real or imposter
I justed wanted to make sure that anyone who reads a posting from gpena, gladys pena and variation on that name, that it is not me. Unfortunately, it is someone with my name or even worse someone using my name to make statements that I do not in anyway support. Those who know me,know my true position. If you have any doubt, please feel free to contact me at my e-mail. The other gpena should also include her e-mail.
RE: ITS not over until its over
El Museo will not be a source of pride to anyone, not to the Puerto Ricans or the Latinos, especially those who live in the US. There doesn’t seem to be anyone in the Museum who is really interested in preserving any type of culture and it appears that no-one is really clear about the true purpose of a museum, except to promote elitist international eurocentric ideas of what cultur is–since apparently you don’t don’t know what the work of a museum should be, you have simply religated your position to a simple matter of bickering. You have missed the point completely and thats not a good thing.
Maybe you should watch less television and visit a few museums.
TO MESSAGE BOARD PARTICIPANTS
ANOTHER GLADYS PENA OR AN IMPOSTOR? WHAT FOLLOWS IS A MESSAGE FROM GLADYS PENA ACOSTA WHO IS AN INDEPENDENT CURATOR AND ARTS CONSULTANT. SHE HAS NOT MADE POSTING PRIOR TO SEPTEMBER 30. THERE MAY BE
ANOTHER PERSON WITH THE SAME NAME WHO HAS BEEN MAKING POSTINGS PRIOR TO THAT DATE. THEY ARE TWO SEPARATE, VERY DIFFERENT PEOPLE.
I have received several calls regarding the postings with my name, sometimes as gpena or Gladys Pena. I want to assure all of my colleagues and friends that I have not made any of the postings, to date. Everyone that is familiar with my background and work understand profoundly my position
regarding El Museo. I am very disturbed by those individuals that are making derogatory statements about those who have the courage to make a public statement regarding the situation with El Museo–After reading several of the
statements by people that I know I am also questioning whether in fact those people actually posted them. We need to know, and everyone should include their e-mail so that if necessary we can verify the source.
Please let me know how this can be clarified–since I find it very objectionable that someone using my name is posting statements on a subject that I am very involved with and that these statements do not represent my position on the matter.
PERSONAL ATTACKS AND INSULTS JEOPARDIZE OPEN FORUM
Personal attacks and insults do not forward any discussion or debate, let alone clarity and understanding.
We ask that you not post these types of messages. We want to keep a free and open forum. These types of postings jeopardize this.
MORE UNNECESSARY HYSTERIA
This forum is on the issues about the search for a new executive director at el Museo del Barrio–according to the heading.
If you have a personal vendetta or dispute with el Museo I suggest you take it elsewhere.
In a forum anyone can speak (post) and just because you post something longer, more threatening, more hysterical, histrionic, and bullying makes it right.
You are entitled to your own opinions as others are entitled to their own.
Community Advisory Board
Perhaps you could lead and propose that you be the new chair of the Community Advisory Board.
Response to A. Flores
If one party is a “bully” that does not make te other a “warrior”.
One of the tactics used by “bullies” is to intimidate others by direct threats.
We are watching you & your words, it is very easy to see that it is not the voice of reason.
I am Gladys E. Pena Bernal
My name is Gladys E. Pena Bernal. I was born in Caguas, Puerto Rico, and I live in El Barrio. I am a human being with flesh and blood, not an “impostor” for anyone. I do not know Ms. Gladys V. Pena Acosta personally but others tell me her last name has the little hat on the n (~) which my last name does not have.
I have written what is posted in this forum and had not put my e-mail address since it was something optional and I did not want any more junk e-mail.
I will put my e-mail address and full name in all my postings from today on. If the web administrator is able to I would consent to having my e-mail address added onto my prior postings.
Thank you very much.
My views are those which I posted previosuly.
Thank you for your cooperation and contribution
Ms. Pena,
Thank you for your prompt response and your contributions to this discussion. Your participation and concern about the topic are appreciated.
Your posting should serve to clarify any misunderstanding or confusion. Again, thank you for your cooperation and please continue to contribute.
Request for your consideration
Could any reference in previous postings to an “impostor” be edited out?
Thank you for your consideration.
RE: The New Director
Wouldn’t that be nice
RE: ITS OVER
This is not only about the executive director, but about community participation and issues of representation. It is never over. It is a work in progress and if we don’t keep working on it we will be responsible for our own exclusion from the art world.
RE: BOYCOTT “townhall meeting”
As the remarks of those who don’t want participation of the community in the museum are clearly elitist and paternalistic.
BOYCOTT “townhall meeting”
Which community are you referring to?
el Museo represents many communities, has the imput of many communities, the support of many communities, shows/presents the art of many artists from many communities–including a “dead” community from 1,600 miles away: the Tainos.
If you had 7,500 square feet of exhibition space how would you “show” the community you are representing?
ITS OVER
Yes it is over. Once a Director is named then there is nothing else to fight over–unless you wish to rake old coals.
There was el Museo then and there is el Museo now:
I am a 100% PUERTORICAN and I LOVE EL MUSEO now more than ever.
I loved the mid-career show of Jose Morales; I loved the Taino shows; I loved the Frida Kahlo & Diego Rivera show; I loved the young, up & coming artists from all of el Barrio (wherever it may be) on the S-Files show (including a big James de la Vega on the courtyard); I loved the 6 Puertorican artists in the “Here…There” show; I look forward to the Tufin~o show.
You see a museum (and there is no question the founders founded a museum (they did not call it “la casa de todos nosotros” nor “El Museo Boricua” which they could have) presents, collects, educates about our art. El museo is not a social services agency, nor a political party, nor a club for the disenfranchised nor disgruntled.
El Museo makes me PROUD to be Puertorican. The history of the institution cannot be erased nor changed any more than you could erase or change the history of Taller Boricua, or the Asia Society. It is there FOREVER.
RE: Response 3
Dear Aurora:
If you need a bar of soap I think there is an 800 number you can call:
1-800-WASH-YOUR-MOUTH!!!
I love you but my GOD, what is happening to you?
Response 3
Ms Flores:
Have you had your serotonin levels checked?
Gladys E. Pena Bernal
PERSONAL ATTACKS AND INSULTS JEOPARDIZE OPEN FORUM
After reading this entire forum I find the postings of Aurora Flores to be the most offensive and counterproductive. They are the most insulting to a large segment of our community.
Can the web master delete those postings or filter them in the future?
Better yet can somebody create some other forum just for her?
REQUIEM for El MUSEO
Naming a non-puertorican to be the new leader of el Museo del Barrio is the last nail in the coffin of our pride and joy.
R.I.P.
RE: REQUIEM for El MUSEO
Dont be so sure about that. Also, do not assume that there have ever been any nails in the coffin; or, for that matter, that there ever was a coffin.
If the displeasure with the previous administrator was justificable…well, es puertorriquena de pura cepa!
If youre disatisfied with the trajectory that El Museo has been on since moving from Third Avenue; well, all ofthe previous administrators have also been Puerto Ricans.
If I may, Id like to offer another scenario, even if an explosive one. We Puerto Rican artists want to be recognized internationally. Doesnt that mean that we have to compete within an international community.
Is it really possible that we want to opt for the ghetto at this time. Is it possible, just possible, that an administrator with the breadth that Zugaragoita brings might catapult deserving Puerto Rican artists on to the international markets.
REQUIEM for El MUSEO
Red Planet: Fascinating thoughts….and I find them truly compelling.
Perhaps el Museo as we know it has expired of natural causes (all of them Puertorican)….1969-2002.
Another entity is about to be born, with no Puertorican at its helm…perhaps never again. We lost it.
But let us mourn and grieve as we should…what is tragic is that on the eve of celebrating Puertorican Heritage month, we are burying our dead little museo.
Like the apotheosic “El Velorio” by Francisco Oller.
RE: REQUIEM for El MUSEO
Esto no El Velorio de El Museo, mi hermano!
We might just see a stronger presence of Puerto Rican artists than under previous administration: on a larger arena. Any administration can change. That does not automatically constitute a substantive change.
There is nothing whatever that suggests that future administrations will not be Puerto Rican. Nothing at all.
Puerto Rico is part of the Latino World. We are not a ghetto; why behave as if we were. In Puerto Rico, you have every single strain of Spanish gene: Basque, Castillian, &c.
If we went to be part of that bigger picture, it means that we have to be part of that bigger picture.
There is nothing lost; perhaps much will be gained.
Velorio, no!!!!
RE: RE: REQUIEM for El MUSEO
To Red Planet: You sound so sure–do you really believe that a guy like Julian, who is emersed in international/european easthetics is really interested in promoted Puerto Rican or Latino artist from the New York scene–do you really think that he is interested in creating a world class museum out of a Museum born out of the Puerto Rican experience. Seventy five percent of El Museo’s collection is Puerto Rican–what do you think is going to happen to those objects–do you know what happened to the Vidal Smithsonian collection? Where do you think a person like Julian would like to be 3 to 5 years from now?
Sorry, El Museo is lost–its the worse thing that has happen to our community–both Puerto Rican and Latinos.