Many of you may have seen the WSJ article that ran Thursday, May 7. National coverage is great, especially when accompanied by a photo; however, a few quotes and items probably surprised those who have been involved and closely following the project. I feel compelled to clear up a few items:
1) In 2006, the CCHR Working Group clearly outlined why the inclusion and centrality of human rights – past and present efforts – was important for the success of the Center. This move was related to the Center’s content, relevance and reach and the need for an institution to convene discussions of today’s issues. The notion that human rights was included "because" of fundraising shortchanges the work of the Content Committee and countless others.
The Center will be a place of programs, performance, meetings, broadcasts and exhibitions. The Center will not be a typical museum in that people will come once and be finished. Our exhibits will change frequently to address issues of today, will broadcast programs that take place inside the Center and around Atlanta and will be alive with events every week. The subjects of civil and human rights change and evolve and the Center will be the place that convenes discussions and happenings to help us all explore events and issues as they occur.
2) President Obama's election has not diminished the prospects for the Center, financial or otherwise. On the contrary, as I've stated publicly on many occasions, the 2008 election heightened interest in civil and human rights issues because of the candidacies of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama as well as the frequent discussion of all rights issues including torture, genocide, and immigration. The notion that President Obama's election hurts the Center’s efforts is patently incorrect.
3) Finally, I was quoted as stating that significant funding had come from corporations operating in countries with human rights abuses. The article also reports that I refused to name these donors. We have been supported by several companies operating internationally, but to state that they all operate in countries with human rights issues is a stretch I did not intend. As I’ve stated, many companies, governments and organizations face issues of human rights in their operations and decisions and these challenges have increased their interest in our effort to build the Center. As far as not naming donors, as with most all major fundraising efforts, we are in the quiet phase where we raise major gifts and then announce them all at once. The quiet phase has nothing to do with specific companies or organizations and their operations.
The article is once again a chance to reflect on why the Center is so vital and why the time is right. As always—we appreciate any thoughts or ideas you may have—please post them here.
Doug