The issue we addressed in class about the Mutter Museum, I believe, is being over sensitized. We asked, is it truly people who care about the medical profession that are using this museum, or is it just people who want to see a modern day freak show. I feel as though the educational aspect of the freak show concept can be just as educational as sitting someone down and explaining how offensive they are. Truly, it cannot be denied that someone going to a museum to see the deformed remains of others is offensive, however, when one out of the ten people who go to see these remains learns something more about the disease or affliction, and generates sympathy for the person who was afflicted, I feel it is worth it.
If we want to get upset about people using the museum as a freak show, you're starting in on a discussion about morals and beliefs. Of course it is wrong for someone to go to simply gawk at a skeleton, but is it for us to decide they are therefore evil people for displaying the artifacts in the museum? I think not, and I whole heartedly agree that the owners of the museum are not at fault for displaying these remains, but rather that the people who come to gawk should respect the dead.
No comments:
Post a Comment