When I read the article “Portland Art Museum’s treatment of Karuk mother who wore indigenous baby carrier echoes past harm, mom says,” March 21), I kept looking for the explanation of why the Portland Art Museum and many other museums around the world have a “nothing on the back” policy. No explanation was given of why baby carriers were not allowed to be used in the museum, making it seem that the policy was pointless and perverse.
My husband was stationed in Europe with the military, and we did a lot of traveling with our children. When our eldest was a baby and toddler, we used a backpack carrier with an aluminum frame to carry him. I remember at least two instances when we were turned away from museums. At the Etruscan Museum in Rome, the staff explained that it is difficult to be aware of just how much space you are taking up with something on your back. This increases the chance you would accidentally back into a display case or artifact and damage it.
It seems reasonable that an exception be made for a woven basket type carrier, as it is less likely to cause damage than a rigid aluminum frame. But to imply that the Portland Art Museum’s ban on baby carriers was racist seems unfair to the museum staff who are responsible for protecting the art and artifacts in their care.
Rebecca Taylor, Roseburg
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