Whenever I meet with librarians what always strikes me is the many varied hats that they wear. This analogy came to mind during a panel I hosted recently at Charleston Conference, on the anti-racist library. Because anti-racist work is not a single act, nor the responsibility of specific individuals. It’s work that can be present and active in many ways.
Our panelists were Dr & Professor Anita Coleman and Academic Librarians Hannah Park and Shane Roopnarine. They generously shared their experiences, insights and expertise to unpack how we can sustain anti-racism efforts in the library. We examined anti-racist practices through the lenses of instruction, services, management and scholarship and asked: what are you doing, and is it working?
Here are some of my takeaways:
Dismantling racism through humanizing practices
This permeated every part of our discussion. The small or significant ways we humanize others on a day-to-day basis, and the practices and mindsets we adopt to do this. Micro-affirmations such as using people’s names, acknowledging people’s unique experiences, actively making space and explicitly recognizing people’s contributions – just some of the ways we humanize, lift all people up, and foster a sense of belonging and inclusion. This is anti-racism.
That language serves us, but can also hold us back
We opened with our definition of anti-racism, acknowledging that the term is poorly understood and the practice under-researched. That the language of racism and race alone can keep us stuck and limit us to theories and binaries. On the flip side, the right language is powerful and without the right words we cannot progress. As panelists we acknowledged that we self-censored ourselves sometimes while still striving to use language to both be vulnerable and affirmative. We use language to push us forwards when our language can also often fall so short.
Anti-racist instruction is about more than discussions of race
Anti-racist pedagogy is about more than bringing discussions of racism or race into the classroom, so the panel shared other ways to enact anti-racist instruction. We can instead use holistic mindsets and practices such as this one from Amaarah DeCuir to interweave tools to dismantle and challenge racist practices in the classroom and library. When teaching information literacy or research methods, consider adopting an integrative approach like antiracism information literacy. This can infuse inclusion across the curriculum. For example, ask: How can I center my students in the process of learning? What are their experiences, values and interests and how can I incorporate these into my existing information literacy work or one-shots?
Opportunities for more inclusive scholarship are everywhere
The panel had many examples of inclusive and exclusive scholarship, and the many ways in which we can make scholarship more inclusive in our teaching, research including scholarly communication and publishing, management, and even our professional development and service activities.
These include:
Deepening our awareness of information cultures where we privilege Western knowledge. This is how we have been trained to think. Unlearning these information cultures can re-shape our practices in ways big and small
Drawing on Kenneth Burke's metaphor of research as like going to a party as a way to explore the topic, we can ask: Who is at the ‘research party’ but perhaps arrived late? Who is at the party but is not able or allowed to participate fully? Who is not there at all?
Supporting students who want to do research in their own communities, or within communities that have meaning for them. How can you expose them to and support them through these opportunities? What will take them from theorized information to action and practice?
Providing opportunities for students to engage with scholarship that is outside the mainstream scholarship. For example, Doctoral students who draw on practitioner and community focused research. We have a chance, as librarians, to facilitate that relationship and give voice and platform to those works
Making more intentional and proactive citations of marginalized scholars who are so often under-cited and underrepresented. Don’t overlook this important act of acknowledgement, validation, inclusion and anti-racist work
Supportive Leadership is critical
The power of supportive and anti-racist leadership can’t be overstated. And while ‘representation’ is only one small part of the picture, the panelists acknowledged the power of seeing and working with librarians from historically marginalized groups. Diverse and inclusive leadership can empower and support communities in unique ways. Panelists shared examples of acts and times they’ve been made invisible, marginalized, and discriminated as well as counter-acts of affirmation, equitable, just treatment, and celebration that made them feel included.
What can we do when we feel powerless or hopeless?
On this, our panelists brought us back to the idea of agency. That in the face of restrictive state legislation, or political forces that are larger than ourselves, we can become demoralized and give up. They reminded us that small actions and persistent efforts can and do collectively drive change. Keep on advocating for inclusive practices. Keep on asking yourself: where do I have agency? Perhaps this is within your State Library Association. Or perhaps it’s within a professional association like JCLC or journal such as JCLIS. Become a member. Pay attention to their advocacy alerts. Act and advocate where you can.
We compiled these resources to help you in your own anti-racist work; please use, share and disseminate.
References:
Our Definition of Anti-racism is defined as some form of focused and sustained action, by a mix of people which includes inter-cultural, multi-faith, multi-lingual, diverse, and inter-abled communities with the intent to change a system or an institutional policy, practice, or procedure which has oppressive and dominating/subordinating effects.
Coleman (2020) Using the Antiracism Digital Library and Thesaurus to Understand Information Access, Authority, Value, and Privilege, URL https://serials.atla.com/theolib/article/view/2539/317
Coleman (2016). Theology, Race, and Libraries, p. 65-74, https://serials.atla.com/theolib/article/view/2539/3171
Coleman, A.S. (2022). International Contexts and U.S. Trends in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in Libraries. Library Trends 71(2), 254-283. https://dx-doi-org.ezproxyberklee.flo.org/10.1353/lib.2022.a922378
Buchel, O., & Coleman, A.S. (2022). A Statistical Essay on Diversity in the Library Professions Compared to Other Occupations in the United States. Library Trends 71(2), 303-337. https://dx-doi-org.ezproxyberklee.flo.org/10.1353/lib.2022.a922380. (this has an accompanying data website - https://librarytrends.github.io/data_science_for_libs/)
Audrey Thomspon (2003). Anti-racist Work Zones. https://sacred.omeka.net/items/show/228
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