Museum Statement on Inclusivity and Equity
SFO Museum has taken time to reflect on the police killing of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and so many other people of color across the United States. We are moved by the subsequent worldwide protests and we are educating ourselves on the breadth and depth of systemic racism in our societal structures. During this time, Museum staff have reflected as individuals on our respective levels of awareness and our own biases. We have conducted honest and difficult conversations with our friends, coworkers, and our families.
SFO Museum is proud to be a part of the museum community, which is doing significant soul-searching and working to correct past and present missteps and injustices. We at SFO Museum recognize missed opportunities to diversify Museum exhibitions, collections, and staff. Correcting this requires thought, empathy, time, and sustained effort—and we have begun this process.
To make our exhibitions more inclusive and equitable, we are actively expanding our lender base and identifying objects, artists, and voices that represent Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) contributions to cultural, artistic, and scientific achievement.
To make our aviation collection more inclusive and equitable, we are actively seeking donations and purchasing objects that tell the stories of BIPOC contributors to the development of commercial aviation. These objects will allow us to share their stories in our aviation exhibitions and online.
To make the Museum more inclusive and equitable, we are embracing difficult conversations among staff about issues related to racial injustice and systemic racism. We maintain a work environment that welcomes those who challenge the racial or gendered status quo. And we will actively conduct outreach and seek applicants for volunteer, intern, and staff positions from underrepresented communities.
SFO Museum is grateful and proud to be part of the City and County of San Francisco, an entity that deeply values and celebrates the great diversity of humanity who make our community and our world so beautiful. We know we have a particular responsibility to represent these values for the constituency of visitors from around the globe. SFO Museum is grateful and proud to be a part of your community.
Black Lives Matter!