We’re looking forward to a productive discussion at our un-conference. To make sure we have a shared framework as we lead into the day, please read and watch the following resources:
- Todd Honma. (2005) Trippin’ Over the Color Line: The Invisibility of Race in Library and Information Studies. Interactions: UCLA Journal of Education and Information Studies. V1 N2.
- Kimberlé Crenshaw. (2016) The urgency of intersectionality. TED Talks.
Some thoughts to guide you through your reading and viewing:
- Do you think about race? Do you discuss race outside of spaces like “Race Matters Un-conference”? Informally ( Friends, Family)? Formally (Work, Workshops)?
- In your experience, how is race discussed in libraries?
- Is race invisible in LIS?
- How can library workers shed neutrality and colorblindness?
- How can white librarians/library workers introduce a discussion about whiteness?
- How can librarians/library workers of color introduce a discussion about whiteness
- As students and library workers, what can we do to bring those issues to the table?
- As library workers what do you think about the lack of minority representation in LIS schools? At libraries?
- How could we use feminist and critical pedagogy that includes “ the voices of different racial background” (Honma p.17) without tokenizing them?
- How do we address the issue of library advocates who don’t truly speak for the groups they strive to represent?
- How do we respond to those who want to “fix” the problem of lack of diversity but do not truly listen to the issues that are experienced by those who are marginalized? How can we navigate this “fix it” mentality which tends to gloss over the topic rather than face it head on?
- Kimberle Crenshaw brings up the concept of “injustice squared” while discussing a Black woman’s experience with discrimination in the workplace. In light of the lack of diversity in libraries, what are some strategies and steps that we can take to address the injustice that women of color may face as a result of their intersecting identities? How can we combat the established structure that already exists and promotes whiteness?