(There is a
protest planned against the Museum's celebration of Bruce Ratner. Click
for more information.)
An open letter regarding the "inappropriateness of the Brooklyn Museum's
'Honoring' Bruce Ratner" was sent to the Brooklyn Museum's Board.
It was sent to DDDB as well, and we've published it over
here. You can join others and endorse it.
One endorser, Mr. Peter Bray of Park Slope, asked us to publish his letter
to the Museum. It follows below:
April 1, 2008
Mr. Arnold L. Lehman
Director
Brooklyn Museum of Art
200 Eastern Parkway
Brooklyn, New York 11238
Re: Terminating Membership No. 13275
Dear Mr. Lehman:
I am enclosing my Membership Card and terminating my membership with the
Brooklyn Museum of Art. I am compelled to take this action by the museum's
decision to honor Bruce Ratner at its April 3rd Gala.
I can no longer support an institution whose action in this instance demonstrates
its utter contempt for the borough in which it has been so closely associated
for more than a hundred years. The BMA has aligned itself with a rich
and powerful interest who epitomizes the corrupting influence of money,
an insatiable greed, a contempt for good design, and a hostility to the
democratic process in the form of the public's right to be meaningfully
involved in approving land use and the use of public funds. His Atlantic
Yards development would forever desecrate the scale and character of the
borough in which the museum's members overwhelmingly reside.
By granting him this honor, the BMA turns its back on its true constituency.
It clearly no longer respect the interests of those who support the museum
with their tax dollars, contributions, loyalty, and visits. The museum
may obtain lots of money from Ratner and his associates, but it should
have instead considered its long-term ability to retain members and attract
new ones. The BMA has tarnished its standing in the community for a long
time to come.
Please remove my name from your mailing list. Please be assured that until
such time that you are replaced or resign, I will re-direct my contributions
to more deserving nonprofit organizations in Brooklyn.
A disgruntled member,
Peter L. Bray
cc: Board of Directors
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