Real-Life Decision Making
You're a professional historian for a local museum and historical
society. You're putting together a display on the early settlers of the
town of Plum Grove, a small community that developed during the gold rush.
You're working with members of the museum committee on the display,
which is to include photos and artifacts from this era. Working with them
hasn't been easy. Many of them are amateur historians, each with his
or her own interpretation of how things were back then.
You work with them anyway, since they do have artifacts to contribute.
Plus, many of them make huge donations to the museum. In other words, their
contributions keep the museum open and pay your salary.
You've been given a selection of photos from a donor, showing slices
of life from the early days of Plum Grove. Some of these photos have been
taken in front of what was then the local saloon. One photo shows a group
of saloon girls dressed in what, at that time, would have been provocative
clothing.
Today, Plum Grove is a sleepy little town with no traces of saloons or
dancing girls -- you feel these photos would provide an interesting perspective
to the town's history.
"Photos are some of our best primary sources," says San Francisco historian
Arden Krause. They supply accurate snapshots of history.
At a meeting with the committee members, you show your selection of photos
proudly, thinking they'll appreciate their historical value. You couldn't
have been more wrong!
The committee members want you to exclude these photos on the basis that
they portray a side of Plum Grove that everyone wants to forget. Some of the
members have even threatened to withdraw their support for the museum if you
include the photos.
You don't want to see the museum close or be out of a job. But you
feel the facts shouldn't be manipulated in this way.
You could keep the photos out of the exhibit, but keep them on hand in
case people ask to see them. Or you could stick to your position, even though
you know it will anger the committee.
What do you do?