There are two things you need to know here. 

One: the Museum of Science and Industry is a beloved Chicago icon that attracts guests from all over America. It's honestly one of the best museums in the country, pulling in millions of visitors, and by its own admission, is the largest science center in the Western Hemisphere.

They do so much for STEM education, outreach, accessibility, and inclusivity.

Two: five years ago, they accepted $125 million from Ken Griffin to name the museum after him. Ken Griffin is a pretty terrible human being. He's one of these plutocrats who spends millions of dollars manipulating elections, pouring money into candidates and legislation that helps him avoid taxes, lower his taxes, and keeps people like him (worth $37 billion, by the way) from paying their fair share.

He was on the receiving end of $200 million in federal taxpayer bailouts during the financial crisis, and paid $54 million into a campaign to avoid paying between $100-150 million in Illinois State taxes. He's lauded as a philanthropist when really he does all he can to avoid paying taxes.

 

To the Museum of Science and Industry... please don't put this man's name on such a beloved institution.

 

Listen, I'm not going to come here with no solution. I'm not going to say "Oh, just give the money back and we'll go on our way." What do you want? A pledge drive? Start a massive public campaign to draw $100 million from small donors in the next two years. We can talk about the other $25 million at that point. You want us to help?

You want us to write letters to Congress for federal grants? Lobby for more of our tax dollars to go to museums? Do you want us to find some ethical millionaires and ask them to contribute?

Ken Griffin, besides this drive to rig our system in his favor and avoid taxes, recently went on record as opposing diversity, equity, and inclusion on college campuses. I mean... okay, fine. It's a free country, I guess? You do you. But a guy who just a few months back stopped giving money to Harvard because of their "DEI agenda" now needs his name slapped on a beloved STEM destination that literally makes accessibility and inclusivity a priority.

It makes no sense. His name is on the Museum, it will be on everything related to the Museum, and someone like him will only drag the MSI down. 

Please. You're one of the best museums in the hemisphere. You have a lot of people who love you, and all you do. Let us help. I'm confident we can do it. Please don't do this.

Remove his name from the MSI. Forever.

 

P.S. And please don't follow up by naming it after the Sackler family or something.