A Scary Account of Working at the Holocaust Museum: From My Daughter
Yesterday, as the fatal shooting at the Holocaust Museum in
Washington, D.C. unfolded, I couldn't help recalling that my daughter,
Jeni Mitchell, just out of college, worked at the museum during its
start-up, in 1992, through its 1993 opening, and two years after that.
I also remembered that she had told me, long ago, about some of the
scary threats she and others received just for working there, and the
extraordinary security measures (little publicized) that they had to
take. Of course, I forgot most of the details.
Fortunately, moved and "upset" by the tragic attack by a racist, anti-Semite, she wrote me from London -- where she's getting her Ph.D. -- last night, reflecting on her experience at the museum back in the 1990s. Here's some of what she sent along:
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Greg Mitchell is editor of Editor & Publisher. His latest book is "Why Obama Won."
Fortunately, moved and "upset" by the tragic attack by a racist, anti-Semite, she wrote me from London -- where she's getting her Ph.D. -- last night, reflecting on her experience at the museum back in the 1990s. Here's some of what she sent along:
"The entire time I worked there, we always expected something terrible to happen. I was very lucky it didn't while I was there -- but it wasn't for lack of trying. Our head of security was a former FBI guy and he said we would not believe the volume of threats.To visit Jeni Mitchell's blog, the Crime-Conflict Nexus, go via <a href="http://crimeconflictnexus.wordpress.com/"><u>this link</u></a>.
"While the museum was being built, we were told that neighboring buildings were enhancing their security and protection in anticipation that the Museum would be a target for violent extremists, possibly even blown up.
"When we opened, each of us working there received a 'security kit.' This was to supplement our in-person briefings. The kit contained instructions on what to do in the case of a bombing, an evacuation, receiving a bomb threat, etc.
"The kit also included a piece of paper stapled to a stick; the paper screamed in bold letters, 'I'M GETTING A BOMB THREAT!' The idea was that if I were to receive an actual bomb threat, I should keep the guy on the line, stand on my chair and wave this sign around frantically until someone noticed.
"One time, I was talking to this very nice woman in NYC on the phone, when our evacuation alarm went off. It was right behind my desk so I gave a little scream. I was pretty sure it was a drill, so I shouted into the phone 'I'll have to call you back,' but I couldn't be heard over the noise.
"Off we went for our evacuation drill. Half an hour later I returned to my desk and called the woman back. It turns out that in the interim, she had called everyone she knew in New York to tell them the holocaust museum had been blown up. Whoops.
"I actually received death threats. Personally, addressed to me at my office. Written in cramped, sociopathic handwriting, pages and pages of nonsense. I turned them over to security and didn't worry about it (who would bother to kill the schedule coordinator?) but it was chilling.
Also: Long before 9/11 we were well-versed in the procedures for unattended items. Several times we had to evacuate the main exhibit when lone bags were found (although thankfully they were false alarms). But I always felt that the people in the cloak room had the most worrisome job in the building.
"A couple months ago, when there was that big controversy over the Department of Homeland Security report on potential right-wing terrorism, I could NOT believe that it had to be recalled, that it was somehow controversial. Working at the Holocaust Museum in the first years of the Clinton administration was like having a front-row seat to right-wing hate groups. They are a peculiar American pathology, and they are not going anywhere.
"I am really just heartbroken that after all these years, such terrible violence happened at a place dedicated to peaceful coexistence, nonviolence, mutual understanding, etc. And I am furious that an octogenarian nutcase can kill an innocent person.
"Anyway, sorry to ramble, I'm just pretty upset about this, and feeling mournful that the price to be paid for an Obama presidency seems to be an epidemic of well-armed lunatics."
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Greg Mitchell is editor of Editor & Publisher. His latest book is "Why Obama Won."
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Er, THIS link.
Sounds like you raised an admirable and brave person, Mr. Mitchell. I think the problem is that they get a bit too much sympathy from the right. They are simply, rabid dogs, and to empathize with them, even a little, is to actively encourage this.
June 12, 2009 12:02 AM | Reply | Permalink
I worked as a gallery attendant/security for the St. Louis Art Museum when terrorists hit us on 9/11.
I remember we had to totally change the way that we dealt with bags, purses, suitcases, and the public in general. We had no idea how far this would all go in the hours and days following, and as one of the symbols of our city which housed a huge islamic collection, we had to be aware of the threats from inside and out.
The only incident I can remember was an older white man who defaced a large Islamic piece with food two weeks after 9/11, and made quite a scene; the St. Louis PD handled it--he was a diabetic that had a bad sugar attack. We of course never had any violence, nor any attack, though we had drilled for weeks to respond to such. Even closed the museum one day for simply trying to find suspicious looking devices or packages amidst the Picasso's and Van Gogh's.
That seems ludicrous now, but we sure took it serious.
But it was then, as it must be now in DC, quite frankly high alert, nailbiting--yet vigilant days ahead for those who do this type of work, for little in return, and who never know know what the day will bring.
June 12, 2009 1:17 AM | Reply | Permalink
I went to the Holocaust Museum the first week it opened in 1993. It was packed with people, but I don't remember any security delays or even worrying about security being an issue. But after reading Jeni's story, I can see that was rather a naive attitude.
June 12, 2009 5:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
I had the privilege of visiting the Holocaust Museum about ten years ago. It it perfectly designed to tell such a horrific story. Then, at the end, when you think you will never be able to smile again, it provides a hopeful and cathartic release by way of a movie reel of interviews with survivors. I could not then, and cannot now, understand how human beings could so methodically end the lives of others.
Maybe that's why, during my visit there, it never occurred to me that the museum could be a target of terrorism.
For all the complaining that we do about our government, we are lucky to have people working in it that are aware of these threats and do what they can, every day, to protect the rest of us from them, so that we can live our lives in relative ignorance and safety.
June 12, 2009 10:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
It has been incomprehensible to me where this hatred of Jews came from, since I was a little kid.
Oh I know a good deal of the historical origins and everything.
As a matter of fact, this change in attitude coming from the right wing Protestant Churches toward Jews has been incredibly beneficial over the last few decades. One of the few benefits of the right wing religious ideologues.
The hatemongers attacking the Jews on the internet presents solid evidence that the problem has not gone away. And here Reverend Wright demonstrates left wing antisemitism that still exists among our population although I have seen no evidence of incitement to violence from this sphere of influence.
Very fine post. Your daughter's information shows me that the fear is real.
June 12, 2009 12:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe. Maybe not.
June 12, 2009 10:19 PM | Reply | Permalink