RECONCILIATION
To: TanishaKay@HappyArt.Org
May 20, 2020
Hi Tanisha,
I hope this email finds you well. I understand you may not want to hear from me. But I thought I would reach out in the hopes of clarifying some things we did not get a chance to discuss. Perhaps in hearing my side of the story, we will be able to work things through? Come to a more peaceful understanding?
When we, the museum, hired you last spring, we had all heard such wonderful things about you. Indeed, once I received the catalog of the shows you’d curated (so many!), I was thrilled by the possibility that we could create space—and hold space—for someone so talented as you.
If you remember our early meetings, you will recall how genuinely excited I was to have you on board. Once here, we agreed you would curate the fall exhibit, Post-Harlem Harlem, and those weeks were some of the most exciting times in my career. Honestly, Tanisha, you introduced me to so much incredible art. I still remember our dinner with the conceptual break dancer Louis Banks. What a charming man!
Now, to the matter of the event in question, the panel discussion in September. I understand why you might feel upset. As you rightly pointed out, your “voice was excluded” from the conversation. However, also true is that our guest curators do not participate in these panels. Perhaps you are right to point out this museum policy as “problematic.” But of course, we work within an institution. And institutions are slow to change.
As to your other criticism, that there were “no voices of color whatsoever on a panel dedicated to discussing the work of Black artists,” and then to your subsequent boycott of the show, your op-ed in ArtNews and some stirrings of protest outside the museum, well, Tanisha, this is where I must ask you, sincerely, what your motives were. Are you trying to destroy our reputation? Do you know how hard we have worked to build this entire enterprise from scratch? How on earth will tearing down what we have built help future young curators have their voices heard?
Tanisha, I’m afraid I simply do not understand what you’re after here. And I wanted to let you know, not only as your boss but as your friend, that I am deeply offended by the direction you have chosen to take.
Yours,
Linda
To: TanishaKay@HappyArt.Org
May 25, 2020
Hi Tanisha,
I have written several drafts of this email, trying to settle on the right response here. Honestly, I am just beside myself. I’ve always thought us to have a professional and friendly relationship. I have always respected and admired the work you do. But I must say, I found the tone of your last email extremely disrespectful. Is that your intention? To be rude? Utterly contemptuous? Honestly, I did not expect that from you. My feelings are hurt, Tanisha, and that is just the truth.
Let’s go through these items. You write that I must be cracked in the head to think I am owed any gratitude whatsoever, that you will never be thankful for “letting” you work at the museum. I have now read my email to you dozens of times. Where did I say you ought to thank me? Where? Honestly, it hurts me that you would even choose to interpret my words this way.
Secondly, you say that the moment has passed for us to make changes to how the museum operates, that it should have been obvious to anyone with a functioning brain that an exhibit about people of color should have people of color on the panel. And you also state that you are tired of explaining such things to willfully ignorant white people such as myself.
I hate to say it, but isn’t that a bit racist of you? Reverse racism is a thing, and you may not be aware of it, but that is exactly what this is.
Frankly, I hope you will consider the way in which your actions and your language are counterproductive toward your aims. The last thing we need in our society is more divisiveness. Wouldn’t you agree?
At any rate, I see the protests outside are still going on. And again, I must ask you to please consider the financial harm this is causing our institution. Please consider the financial harm this will cause to the very people you, Tanisha, want so much to represent.
It is time for these shenanigans to end.
Thank you for understanding.
Yours,
Linda
To: TanishaKay@HappyArt.Org
May 27, 2020
No, Tanisha, I’m afraid it is you who does not understand. Why this ongoing disrespect? Your last email was so snarky I thought maybe a teenager had written in.
I see you take issue with the phrase “reverse racism.” You say such a thing does not exist. Then you mock it, call me and the members of our board not reverse racists but “straight-up racists.” You say you would have more respect for me if I just admitted it outright.
Admitted what? That I’m racist? What a disgusting accusation!
And again the lack of civility. It seems to me you are becoming even more juvenile, maybe even disconnected from reality. Are you okay? I have a wonderful therapist and, in spite of our differences, I’d be pleased to recommend her services to you. Please do reach out and don’t hesitate to be in touch if you need help. (If you don’t have health insurance now because of all this, I’m sure she can work something out, sliding-scale, etc.)
Look, in case it isn’t obvious, even as we deal with this drama—and I cannot think of any other word for it—I am still trying to help you, Tanisha. I sincerely hope we can get past all this. I want us to be allies. Sisters in a fight for justice.
So, once again, I need to ask you to end the protests, especially the new addition of hip-hop blasted from that small stage your people have set up, and to call off those men in the black hoodies that are intimidating visitors as they try to come inside.
With respect,
Linda
To: TanishaKay@HappyArt.Org
May 29, 2020
I’m sorry, WTF, Tanisha. Is this your doing? Did you and your friends really hang confederate flags from the windows of the museum last night? THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!!
Pedro nearly fell out of the second story window as he tried to remove the hooks from the side of the building. People are getting hurt, which I know surely cannot be your intention.
Or is it? Is that really what this is all about? Are you just trying to hurt people now? People like Pedro, who only managed to not fall because Manuelo, the janitor, happened to be standing right there. I saw the whole thing from my office and I myself nearly had a heart attack. Is that what you really want? There will be blood on your hands, Tanisha.
Honestly, I always thought you were level-headed, someone I would be happy to write a reference letter for, someone with a bright future in the art world ahead of her. How do you envision all this will help in any way in achieving your career goals?
More likely, these high jinks will get you arrested.
Cheers,
Linda
To: TanishaKay@HappyArt.Org
June 5, 2020
Okay, look. I take back what I said about having you arrested. You’re right to point out the loaded history here. I apologize.
Really, if all this is about the panel, I want you to know that I’ve talked it over with the board and what we have decided on is this: We will do another show and another panel in the summer of 2022, once the dust settles. We would be honored to include you and the artists of your choosing in the show. Upon reflection, yes, I can see that some of your points were valid. We should have included you from the beginning. It was wrong.
I have a lot of learning to do. We all do. You and I both, I believe, have a lot of learning and growing to do. Perhaps we can learn together? Does that sound fair?
Attached you will see a revised contract. We can discuss the future of any curatorial roles. This will guarantee your place on the panel as well. And of course, we can re-hang some of the works that were taken down after you left.
All I ask now is that the protest end. Please stop with the megaphones, the traffic blockade, the ongoing music, the harassment of visitors. I cannot tell you how disruptive all of this is.
We can find a way to work together, I am sure of it.
Yours,
Linda
To: TanishaKay@HappyArt.Org
June 10, 2020
A dancing middle finger gif? Really? After all this?
Tanisha, I just do not know what to say anymore. I’ve tried.
The next email you receive will be from our lawyer, who will begin a suit related to the damages you and your people have caused the museum over the past few weeks. I wish it didn’t
have to come to this. But I see you are not interested in abiding by the terms I have laid out.
In the future, please do not use my name as a reference.
I would rather not be reminded of all that has transpired here.
Linda
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Becky Tuch is currently working on a collection of stories about art, artists and museum workers. Find more of her writing at www.BeckyTuch.com. Follow her on Twitter @BeckyLTuch.
