"Make a memorial, no museum" Pulse survivors call for action: By Mia Walsh
"The question of which memories are promoted and which cease to be memories at all is a political question," (Cresswell 89). This sentiment, though published 19 years ago, is felt by no one more than the survivors and family of the Pulse nightclub shooting of 2016. In an article posted on September 27, many survivors beg for a permanent memorial for the loved ones lost to violence.
There has been an interim- memorial put up in the lot across the street from the bar. This memorial, built by a non-profit/action group, has promised since day one to build a museum to go along with a permanent memorial. In the years that have passed, survivors are now calling for a memorial on the site of the bar, not in the space across the street. One mother of a survivor said "Where it should go is the same place that the person died. That is why it is called a memorial. In that place, not next door."
This calls into the importance of performance in memorials. The family members in the article feel that without a permanent acknowledgment of the horror, there is no place to feel at peace. Only the terrible memories exist in the space.
More comments from others include "It needs to be where it happened so we can honor our victims,"... "A museum of terror? They're going to make a circus of terror?"..."Make a memorial, no museum, that simple. We suffered a lot, we shouldn't keep suffering."
I think this is a great example of why memorials can be created and why holding space is important. Just as in the examples of holding space in the Anne Frank house, there are some things a museum with artifacts cannot translate.
Many people impacted by the Pulse shooting claim to feel that they are forgotten and the tragedy is being forgotten. While I was not impacted directly, I remember the day that this shooting took place in 2016. I was in the closet and shook to my core at the violence experienced by my community. I reflect on the anniversary of Pulse annually but hardly think about it more than that. I know that a memorial in Florida would be hard considering the political climate in the state, but I do think it could mean the world to those families who feel they’ve been left behind.
Sources: https://www.wesh.com/article/pulse-memorial-location-orlando/45342830, https://onepulsefoundation.org/2018/07/31/a-design-with-purpose-the-vision-behind-the-interim-pulse-memorial/
During last week's lecture, I was also thinking about this memorial. It is interesting to think about what we should do with places that hold horrible, traumatic memories (not only to those directly impacted, but also as you mention, the larger community). The physical nightclub is still there, and I remember reading through the debates of what should be done with it. Should it be demolished, should it be renovated, should it re-open, etc. It's odd to think that eventually, this interim memorial will have to be "torn down" to make room for the permanent memorial. When I think about this memorial, I also think about it's placement on this specific street - it's near a Dunkin Donuts, a Wendy's, a window-tinting shop. People go to memorials for specific reasons, to honor and remember and memorialize. But it makes me think what/how people are reacting when they are at nearby businesses. When memorials exist/perform in the middle of our "everyday lives" becomes a very interesting point of inquiry.
ReplyDeleteMia, I think your post does a great job of connecting a real-world example to concepts of space and place that we have discussed in class. I admire how you added quotes from people who live in the community and their opinions on what should be done in terms of honoring the victims of the Pulse nightclub. I was shocked to learn that a museum was potentially going to be built, and not even in the exact place where the tragedy occurred that affected so many people's lives. The families of the victims have expressed specifically how they want to honor their loved ones, yet they are still being contested in this space. I hope the families and friends of the Pulse nightclub victims are able to hold the memorials they want for their loved ones and that the museum is not built so they do not have to watch their deceased loved ones being profited off of through ticket admissions.
ReplyDeleteI apologize, that first comment was me but I did not realize I had not changed my name from Anonymous
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ReplyDeleteI find it eye-opening how for these families, a permanent acknowledgement of the tragedy has to be in a form of memorial, and that they see a museum as a circus, which is very far from how I have experienced museums in general. For instance, the Museum of Holocaust in Houston, in my opinion does a very good work at honoring the victims and using their space to educate people so that such a horrifying event does not repeat itself. The writings on the wall ask its visitors reflective questions such as 'What is the danger of standing while other people's rights are violated?', 'Why did so few Germans come to the defense of Jews?', 'Why should we be wary of any instance of the removal of rights, however minor it might seem?'. These displays help us be more aware of our own bias and choices, and understand that this kind of tragedy is not just as one BIG violation or hate crime towards a certain group such as Jewish and LGBTQ2S+, but as series of small events that if not being contested, could lead to something really atrocious. Depending on how it is run, I think an establishment of museum can also be a meaningful way to honor the victims.
ReplyDeleteThe quote, "The question of which memories are promoted and which cease to be memories at all is a political question," from Cresswell really resonates with the survivors and families of the Pulse nightclub shooting, even after all these years. It is heartbreaking to hear of their request for a long-lasting monument to honor the family members who died in such a heinous act of violence. The argument over whether to place this memorial on the exact location or across the street emphasizes how crucial the physical environment is for remembering and healing. It makes sense to feel that a museum can't adequately convey the tragedy's essence since some experiences are so powerful that they go beyond things. In the current political context, creating a memorial may be difficult, but it may offer comfort to people who feel forgotten and serve as a potent reminder that these events should never be forgotten.
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