Starting with I: Combating Anti-Blackness in Libraries.
Peace Ossom-Williamson1, Jamia Williams2, Xan Goodman3
1UTA Libraries, The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, USA.
Medical Reference Services Quarterly
|April 9, 2021
Summary
Racial injustice persists in libraries despite increased awareness after George Floyd's murder. This editorial introduces the "Start and End with I" concept to promote actionable change and center marginalized voices in library equity initiatives.
Area of Science:
- Social Justice in Information Science
- Library Equity and Inclusion Studies
- Racial Equity in Public Institutions
Background:
- The murder of George Floyd heightened awareness of systemic racism and its disproportionate impact on marginalized communities, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Libraries responded by forming committees and issuing statements aimed at reducing inequities, yet harm to Black individuals within these institutions continues.
- Existing efforts to address racial inequity in libraries are insufficient, necessitating a re-evaluation of strategies and commitments.
Discussion:
- The "Start and End with I" concept is introduced as a framework for driving meaningful change within libraries.
- This concept emphasizes centering the experiences and voices of those who have been historically dismissed and ignored.
- The editorial calls for a critical examination of current library practices and a commitment to transformative action.
Key Insights:
- Despite stated commitments to equity, libraries continue to be sites where Black individuals experience harm.
- A new conceptual framework, "Start and End with I," is proposed to guide practical steps toward equity.
- The urgency of addressing systemic racism in libraries requires centering the voices of marginalized communities.
Outlook:
- Libraries must move beyond performative actions to implement concrete, sustainable changes that dismantle systemic racism.
- Adopting the "Start and End with I" concept can foster a more inclusive and equitable library environment.
- A willingness to confront uncomfortable truths and enact significant change is crucial for libraries to achieve true racial equity.
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