We heard your feedback on our social media posts yesterday. Thank you. We learned that we can do much better expressing our Getty values, and we apologize.
We are outraged at the horrific death of George Floyd at the hands of the Minneapolis police, and at the violent deaths of far too many more Black Americans. We share the anger and anguish of everyone in Los Angeles and the nation over yet another life senselessly taken. The Getty community is grieving; our hearts are broken.
That African Americans and other communities of color continue to experience systemic violence and oppression in our country is unacceptable and must change. Racism has persisted in our cities and communities for far too long. It has to stop.
At the core of Getty’s mission, we are dedicated to building a vital, civil society. That means upholding human rights for everyone, particularly for Black Americans in our country. But any statement, no matter how well intentioned, is merely words. The hard part is taking personal responsibility for our own actions. At Getty, we have much more work to do.
Please be careful, mindful, and thoughtful in not denouncing violent protest. When they, rioters run out of businesses to loot, planned riots will come to institutions. I too am appalled by the death of George Floyd. I am also appalled by the riots, as his family is, and anyone with a heart.
People have a right to peaceful protest. But night is coming. And then it is something else. Art if the height of civilization, anarchy is not going to serve the needs of community, let alone minorities or art institutions. I received some abuse at the Getty, and very much believe in part because I didn’t participate in “woke” political discussions at work, in front of guests, who left uncomfortably. I don’t think those discussions are appropriate at work, like not using the restroom to relieve yourself.
And I wonder if I am risking my small paycheck writing this? That’s the fear. Comply, or be destroyed. We were talking inclusion a few weeks ago. But skin color changes in the sun. I’m afraid of the “thought police” coming to get me.
I believe in Christianity and all the art the Getty has representing it.. If you want to be a lobby, advertise as one, and pay taxes. If you want to be for the whole community, be for the community and not become part of the problem. Try truly, embracing everyone, and seeking to calm, not take sides. Take a walk down the Third Street Promenade…
I understand the outrage. But when crime happens to any other race, isn’t that also racism. Whether you are white, back, asian, muslim, Native American, isn’t it also a racist crime.
It can be easy to criticize the Getty and other large institutions who are attempting to focus on ongoing institutional racism.
While they do indeed to serve everybody, I believe having now reached 2020; and racism rampant and continuing in so many areas; the arts must also focus on obvious inequalities.
Thank You
Brendan W.
Tom Hinze, I’m confused by your comment and I do apologize for that. No one is devaluing if the life of a person who is Black, White, Asian, or Native American, is taken and especially by someone who has sworn to protect and serve and then put on television for us to see yes in this particular case it can and is a racist crime. Everyone was clearly heard saying “he cannot breath” or “check his pulse” and all of the other things that they were saying, but this former officer of the law kept his knee on that man’s neck for a total of 8.46. I can see where you are coming from that it would be considered a crime for any race. However, this is just one that made the news and now the revolution has begun.
If you can show me a video of an office of the law in any state showing them kneeling on someone’s neck who was not a person of color for 8.46 I would say for certain that it was and is murder. You have to understand where people of color are coming from, imagine that you have heard about numerous incidents similar to what happened to George, but were never filmed. Black people have heard comments like yours and others for a very long time, and trust me we will probably continue to hear or read them for the rest of our days. I just encourage others instead of saying that you can understand their anger, but what about other races that this has happened to or lack thereof?
What has been done so far? I am a big fan of the Getty but I do not see any actions taken so far. The pictures do not show a lot of diversity, but I’m hoping that will change soon.