[Libs-Or] A poem for the occasion

[Caleb TUCKER-RAYMOND]

>
> The problem is: how many library vendors are there who are diverse or
> consider diversity as part of their mission and employment?  Maybe we
> should begin asking.
>

I also think this is a worthwhile question. I think we could start with
contacting the ALA Office for Diversity to see if any work has been done in
this area. http://www.ala.org/offices/diversity

As far as addressing Max's concern as to where to spend our dollars, I know
I have used RFP processes that give points for a company having a specific
policy on diversity, for environmental sustainability, using unionized
labor, having staff physically located in Oregon, and other categories that
reflect a company's policies and priorities rather than just the goods and
services it provides. None of these things got very many points in the RFP,
as cost and services provided are usually considered the most important
factors.

They are also the kinds of things, in a formal RFP process, that weigh
towards larger companies that have the infrastructure to address these
issues. If that is worrisome to you, you can also give points or an
exemption for small companies. Talk to your contracting department!

To identify companies to contract with to begin with, there is the State of
Oregon's Office of Economic & Business Equity (
http://www.oregon.gov/gov/MWESB/Pages/index.aspx), and the Business Xpress
database (formerly "Minorities, Women and Emerging Small Businesses"?) at
http://www.oregon.gov/business/Pages/index.aspx.

These are the basic things we can be doing to ensure that public
contracting dollars go to firms that value diversity. I don't know that it
is enough.

I personally value diversity because social equality is a moral imperative.
Thank you Max and everyone else for speaking up.


Caleb Tucker-Raymond

Statewide Reference Service Coordinator
Multnomah County Library
(503) 988-5438
calebt at multco.us
www.answerland.org


On Tue, Jun 10, 2014 at 11:07 PM, Linda Ueki Absher <absherl at pdx.edu> wrote:

> As librarian who is biracial and bicultural, I am disheartened to read
> some of the reactions in this thread.  In my day-to-day life, I am reminded
> that I and others, who aren't part of the racial majority in this state,
> are often overlooked, downplayed and even ignored.  Most of this is
> unconscious or unintentional, because our culture is geared towards the
> majority, which is and has been white. For the average person who has been
> so imbued with seeing things via the dominant culture, it's extremely
> difficult to realize that seemingly innocuous comments (i.e., "you speak
> English really well" or "what are you?") and actions can be defeating or
> soul crushing, particularly if you've been hearing or seeing them for as
> long as you can remember.
>
> Racism isn't always someone screaming racial epithets or threatening
> minorities physically or emotionally.  For many of us it's the small stuff,
> the stuff that may seem innocent or even earnest, but have a tremendous
> impact in our lives.
>
> And as for Max Macias' comment: I'm going to admit I wasn't comfortable
> with the hashtags, but I do think he asks a very good question about how we
> evaluate vendors who provide services to our users, many of who are people
> of color.  The problem is: how many library vendors are there who are
> diverse or consider diversity as part of their mission and employment?
> Maybe we should begin asking.
>
> Just had to add my two cents.  Thanks--
>
> linda ueki absher
>
>
>
> On Tue, Jun 10, 2014 at 10:08 AM, Tony <tony_greiner at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>> I wish I could take credit for this, but it is the work of another, who
>> thought it appropriate for the recent discussions:
>>
>> HORROR!
>>
>> Someone's feathers are all in a ruffle!
>> And it's causing a PC kerfuffle!
>> Perhaps blood should be spilt,
>> Since there's not enough guilt!
>> As for me, I'll have wine and a truffle.
>>
>>
>>
>> **tony_greiner at hotmail.com**
>>
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>>
>
>
> --
> // linda ueki absher //
> Reference Librarian for the Humanities
> Portland State University Library // Portland, Oregon
> absherl@ pdx.edu  //  503.725.4713
>
>
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>
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