2 /5 Will Hodgson: I volunteered with an elementary class. The museum is spectacular with their beautiful paintings and historical pieces but can do so much more as far as elevating the museum historically. They include some games for kids which is great. They can track their scores and get points for participating. There were so many great exhibits and real people who represent specific events in our past. The major downside I saw was that there was some overly biased views that took away from some exhibits.
One alarming comment I found was the idea that the Japanese who came to America were "survivors". They were detained, but to elevate them to "survivor" is a mockery of those refugees who faced actual interment camps across the globe. They should change this wording immediately. Social justice may seek to elevate shame upon America, but not at the expense of truth.
Where are the great feats of California such as the Great Depression and the Donner Party and the dangers of reaching the West. Sutters Fort, westward expansion? History is not meant to be sanitized in the name of social justice. For example, the gold rush is basically portrayed solely through the eyes of the Japanese that worked the mines. I did not see a mention of James Marshall anywhere.
