On Friday, November 21, the UNM Maxwell Museum of Anthropology is hosting a two part program that focuses on freedom of expression and the expectations and responsibilities of cultural institutions in a climate of social and cultural crisis. The two programs, Lexicon of Liberty and Designing to Disrupt will be held in the museum’s North Gallery and they are free and open to the public.

The first program will take place from 10 – 11 am and is in collaboration with the UNM Honors College. It is called Lexicon of Liberty, a banned book Read-in inspired by the work of UNM Honors College. It is also a chance for attendees to share—on a gallery wall—their favorite literary works or passages that embody the principles of freedom of expression and resistance to oppression in all forms. Do you have a book that’s close to your heart that has been subject to censorship? Bring it and share a portion. Between the list of banned books and the written quotes and reading suggestions, we look to compile a reading list that will serve as a Lexicon of Liberty.

The second program will take place from 11 am – 12 pm, Designing to Disrupt, is a roundtable discussion on what cultural institutions and culture workers need to do to reimagine their impact and potential to disrupt the status quo. Participants will be using a deck of cards titled “Design to Disrupt” created by museum worker Chaya Arabia; a toolkit developed as part of her M.A. Thesis. As Arabia has stated: “[the] disruption of the status quo is necessary to create a bridge between how things have been done and a future state that we collectively are still defining.” For the Maxwell Museum, in particular, this is an opportunity to reflect on the relevance of our new institutional vision in this environment of social and cultural crisis. That is, how do the Museum’s “Three Rs”--- Reconcile injustices; Restoring voices; and Realizing Community---garner even more urgency in this moment?

These programs are organized to coincide with the occurrence of Fall of Freedom, a national call to action that invites artists, creators, and communities to take part in creative resistance and celebrate the experiences, cultures, and identities that shape the fabric of our nation. Fall of Freedom has enabled a network of such actions that are taking place on November 21 and 22.

This event is open to UNM students, faculty, and staff, as well as the general public.