[Libs-Or] Editorial Response to OLAQ 25(2)

[Meredith Farkas]

Thanks for your post, Diedre. I did not receive any warning for my comments
and I agree with your suggestion that whoever reported Max was made
uncomfortable by his criticism. It effectively supported his point that
"BIPOC are constantly told how they should speak, behave, think and believe
by white people."

I have also had experiences where the words of a person of color made me
uncomfortable and that often happened because it forced me to think about
my own complicity in upholding white supremacy. If we don't face that
discomfort, if we avoid discomfort or try to silence those who cause us
discomfort, we can't find ways to decrease harm.

Thanks everyone who has participated in this important discussion.

Meredith


On Wed, Nov 13, 2019 at 2:07 PM Diedre Conkling <diedre08 at gmail.com> wrote:

> Oops, that should have read person of color (not on).
>
> I am wondering if anyone else, other than Max, participating in this
> discussion has received a warning about inappropriate postings to libs-or.
>
> On Wed, Nov 13, 2019 at 1:54 PM Diedre Conkling <diedre08 at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> I am so glad that Max posted about this article.  It has led to some very
>> good discussion on this list and elsewhere.  It is too bad that the
>> discussion had to be started by a person on color.
>>
>> It is also too bad that someone complained to the State Library saying
>> that his post was inappropriate and unprofessional. He has been warned by
>> the State Library.  I read his post and said to myself that this post is
>> going to make some very uncomfortable.  Being uncomfortable with a post
>> doesn’t make it inappropriate or unprofessional.
>>
>> I have read the libs-or guidelines along side Max’s original post and
>> don’t believe it went against the guidelines.  It was a valid criticism. As
>> librarians we should be willing to look deeper into issues that make us
>> uncomfortable.  I think that in this case the discomfort really points out
>> the white privilege many of us have.
>>
>> Again, I’m so very happy that Max was willing to take this on even though
>> he knew there would be backlash from some.  Thank you State Library for
>> sponsoring a discussion list that allows us to really discuss these
>> important issues.
>>
>> --
>> *Diedre Conkling*
>> *diedre08 at gmail.com* <diedre08 at gmail.com>
>>
>> “If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change
>> your attitude.”―Maya Angelou
>>
> --
> *Diedre Conkling*
> *diedre08 at gmail.com* <diedre08 at gmail.com>
>
> “If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change
> your attitude.”―Maya Angelou
>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://omls.oregon.gov/pipermail/libs-or/attachments/20191113/54fb5be0/attachment.html>