Once heralded as the answer to societal problems across the world, over the past few decades globalization and development often have increased looting, illegal artifact trading, demolition of sites and objects from reckless expansion, and the eradication of indigenous lifeways. Losses are compounded by the fact that many communities are restrained—for a variety of economic, social, legal, and religious reasons—from any concrete say in protecting, managing, and otherwise self-determining their own evolving heritage.
The root of Open Hand's motivation for change is justice. John Rawls has written that for free societies, justice must be distributive—focused on maximizing fairness for those who have it least. Social visionaries such as Óscar Romero and Paul Farmer have acted directly on this principle by focusing their efforts toward a preferential option for the poor. It is everyone's responsibility, but especially to whom much has been given, to help others based upon their own needs.
We believe social change requires a holistic approach. Our actions must be restorative, preventative, and positive—encouraging cultural diversity to flourish. Open Hand's model contributes to social change because it operates on all three of these fronts. We take history seriously, recognizing as DuBois did that people without a past cannot successfully navigate the present and hence prepare for the future. By working with communities to build exhibits about themselves, we help protect and restore disappearing cultural heritage.
By presenting these exhibits to western audiences we educate others
to ensure these losses do not continue. Finally, reinvesting
in developing communities allows their own
cultures to thrive.
The root of Open Hand's motivation for change is justice. John Rawls has written that for free societies, justice must be distributive—focused on maximizing fairness for those who have it least. Social visionaries such as Óscar Romero and Paul Farmer have acted directly on this principle by focusing their efforts toward a preferential option for the poor. It is everyone's responsibility, but especially to whom much has been given, to help others based upon their own needs.
We believe social change requires a holistic approach. Our actions must be restorative, preventative, and positive—encouraging cultural diversity to flourish. Open Hand's model contributes to social change because it operates on all three of these fronts. We take history seriously, recognizing as DuBois did that people without a past cannot successfully navigate the present and hence prepare for the future. By working with communities to build exhibits about themselves, we help protect and restore disappearing cultural heritage.
By presenting these exhibits to western audiences we educate others
to ensure these losses do not continue. Finally, reinvesting
in developing communities allows their own
cultures to thrive.
But aren't museums boring? We think they can change the world; learn why.
