tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160636034192691079.post7572637772781565790..comments2024-01-13T21:31:23.388-05:00Comments on Reading While White: Nice and NeutralReading While Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07807138877345669931noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160636034192691079.post-6830651322530582132016-08-04T23:13:13.631-04:002016-08-04T23:13:13.631-04:00Thanks a great piece, Nina. I was also bothered by...Thanks a great piece, Nina. I was also bothered by people's comments that everyone needs to "calm down" or it is "just a children's book." I have been trying to piece together my thoughts about this, so apologies if I ramble. Something crystallized for me as was watching a clip of Will Smith on Stephen Colbert. Smith talked about our current discussions of race in this country are like going to marriage counseling. According to Smith, right now we are in a difficult period where all the hard stuff is getting put on the table and this is a good but difficult thing (you can watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdCTNas_YwQ). Extending his metaphor, in a marriage, even though a couple is just arguing about household chores, there are layers of other feelings from years of interactions, particularly slights and resentments, baked into arguments and disagreements, whether consciously or unconsciously. If you apply the marriage comparison to "Tribe of Kids" conversations as of late, discussions about race, privilege, and representation in children's books are going to be highly loaded with pain, hurt, fear, and defensiveness as criticisms are being placed on the table. I think what some folks who said "calm down" or "it is just a children's book" are missing is that there is anger, pain, and hurt that is imbued in these conversation from years of slights, omissions, gross misrepresentations, and systemic racism. It is not just a conversation about this one book, but years of problems in this long marriage that have been ignored, marginalized, belittled, or swept under the table.<br /><br />I really like your invitation to listen, but it requires us to be present and show up to the marriage counseling sessions. I am disturbed by those who want to file for divorce and leave ALSC or any other space that encourages discussion. Where is a good marriage counselor when you need one? This may not a perfect metaphor, but it was helpful for me as I try to parse out the communication dynamics of these discussions. What would Deborah Tannen have to say about all this, I wonder?Rachel Paynehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11073736536609765857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160636034192691079.post-41948009266569979372016-08-03T21:31:38.075-04:002016-08-03T21:31:38.075-04:00What a perfectly clear definition of the relations...What a perfectly clear definition of the relationship between equity and action. I'll be passing this along to my students. Thank you, Nina!Pathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14438109854751205925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160636034192691079.post-25085153729213748532016-08-03T18:28:08.851-04:002016-08-03T18:28:08.851-04:00Roxanne, we are fooling ourselves if we think we a...Roxanne, we are fooling ourselves if we think we are neutral. Saying "Black Lives Matter" at the library is not me asserting my personal beliefs over everyone else. It is saying "I see you: this is for you too, and I accept my responsibility to help you get equitable access to it." In public libraries we often confuse equity with equality, and think that in order to give "equal" access we must say nothing at all. By pretending to be "un-neutral" we hold the doors open to privilege, and keep everyone else in the margins.Nina Lindsayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03363775984160309811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160636034192691079.post-56356454775209654642016-08-03T18:10:50.345-04:002016-08-03T18:10:50.345-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Nina Lindsayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03363775984160309811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160636034192691079.post-77238579854268956582016-08-03T14:45:30.056-04:002016-08-03T14:45:30.056-04:00I want to support the idea that library services h...I want to support the idea that library services have never really been neutral and that it is high time for us practitioners to start being honest about how we represent ourselves professionally and also personally. I do believe that for decades, ALA (and ALSC) have taken the stance of progressiveness fueled (rightfully, in my mind) by a sincere concern for human-rights: LGBTQ+ rights, Women's Rights, Immigrant Rights, Racial Equity and accurate representation, etc. Since I personally subscribe to all of these and also work in a progressive environment full of people who agree with my sensibilities my angle of truths, it is very easy for me to support and follow many, if not all, ALA/ALSC promoted equity and diversity related initiatives. <br /><br />I am, however, also keenly aware that there are many people across the nation who are in this same profession (librarians, children's librarians, school librarians) who might not subscribe to my line of thoughts and beliefs and who might not be working in communities that subscribe to these ideals. What, then, do we, who are either part of or even leaders of such professional organizations, to do with members who disagree with certain initiatives or ideas? <br /><br />I'm trying to figure out where we should stand: who should be keeping an open mind to accept diverse thoughts? Progressives like us who need to take into consideration of the diverse working environments. local community values, and personal beliefs? Or should those who support the "status quo" to take our beliefs seriously and hopefully will eventually change their minds? (Because I do not see you, Allie, or myself to ever change our minds about Black Lives Matter or LGBTQ+ Rights, etc.)<br /><br />Are we then saying that what we believe to be right and truth are simply that: right and true. Are we then saying that others should definitely change their minds and accept that ours are the only right and true ways of thinking, considering, and acting? <br /><br />The bottom line is something that I've always been puzzled by -- do we really believe that a "diverse of opinions and thoughts" are truly what we need in the world and that having many diverse voices and opinions will make the world a better place for all. Or do we actually believe that "certain diverse views" (such as some insiders' different views over how to interpret the images in A Fine Dessert) ] are simply so wrong and so blinded by that status quo that they do not warrant our serious considerations? <br /><br />By being un-neutral, are we saying that we take a side and stick to it and this is a side that is against the other side? I have little problem declaring myself un-neutral. Wondering if this is aligned with my professional affiliations? (I never truly considered this -- are my beliefs aligned with those of my professional organizations? Thanks, Nina, for making me consider this seriously for really the first time!)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9160636034192691079.post-5022769388104193972016-08-03T11:02:02.594-04:002016-08-03T11:02:02.594-04:00Thanks for writing this, Nina. I can't get ov...Thanks for writing this, Nina. I can't get over the fact that SLJ "liked" comments on that FB post--including "This PC nonsense has gone too far" and "People need to relax" and "Silly!"--and then said "we routinely 'like' comments, it does not imply editorial endorsement."<br />What exactly does it mean, then?!<br />This is a pretty common assertion of privilege: Actively or passively silencing marginalized voices, all the while claiming "I'm neutral".Allie Jane Brucehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10322238221808680397noreply@blogger.com