I think the human element of the library's program is innovative. But I think it is also potentially counterproductive. How are these individuals chosen? How does one lesbian represent all lesbians? I don't feel comfortable with the idea that one single person would be a library-appointed "resource" on a group of people.
The library is trying to address diversity issues by appointing one person to represent individual minority groups. But doing so denies the diversity within those groups. I think a more appropriate concept would be to create an anthology of local individuals' personal stories. The stories should be selected to show the diversity within each minority group. The problem with any one person being seen as a "resource" is that their experiences are exclusive to them. It also sends the message that a diverse society is a heterogeneous entity made of small homogenous components. However, the message we should be sending is that the cultural/ethnic/lifestyle diversity we see in society is similar to the diversity within each individual minority group. Travis Stanton What do the Library Board Candidates think about this program? http://www.365gay.com/newscon05/08/081705library.htm Malmoe, Sweden) A library in a small community in southern Sweden has started a novel program to promote diversity and break down stereotypes. In addition of borrowing books on different cultures the Malmoe Library is now offering people. The living library project is called 'Borrow a Bias'. It allows townsfolk to borrow any of nine different minority people. Borrowers have 45 minutes to confront the prejudices in the library's outdoor cafe. "You sometimes hear people's prejudices and you realize that they are just uninformed," said Ulla Brohed, the chief librarian and the person who conceived the idea. The group includes a lesbian, a gay, an imam, a Muslim woman, a journalist, an animal rights advocate, a Dane, and a Romany or Gypsy and one other to announced later. Although Sweden has civil rights protections for gays and recognizes same-sex couples with partner rights many Swedes, especially in smaller communities, have little knowledge of gay issues including the desire to marry and adopt children. "It's a fun idea. Prejudice is something you have when you don't know each other. If you confront each other, then the prejudice is broken down," said Lilian Simonsen, the Dane who will be on loan. A similar project is already underway in Copenhagen, Denmark. ©365Gay.com 2005 Matthew Philip The Wedge REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
