Mentor Text K

Ariana Curtis, the author of Museums Should Honor the Everyday, not Just the Extraordinary, now serves as the first curator for Latinx Studies at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. She is from Springfield, Massachusetts, and has obtained several degrees, marking her knowledgeable and ardent for her work. Curtis begins her talk with addressing the inspiring and inspirational women in our history. However, she shifts and discusses that even though these women are extraordinary, their stories are limiting, non-representative, and atypical. As she expands on this, she is calling out to our society, the people who document stories and notable events, and ordinary people, too. Broadcasting everyday life can be just as important, and Curtis does a fantastic job of emphasizing this by speaking on this topic and issue in-person and live. She also includes a few stories to make her point even more stronger, and create a potential connection between the story and someone in the audience/listening. So, it is not surprising that her career is focused on advocating for those who she recognizes with. Thus, her message is taken differently and, in my opinion, is more effective than an article or pictures. Curtis's vibe is passionate, determined, frustrated, and change-seeking.