[Libs-Or] About the Petition to the State Library of Oregon

[Thea Hart]

When I first read the petition, there was some initial hesitance on my part. I felt some discomfort with what it said. I sat with it for a while. I didn't think that it was written the way that I, a white library worker, would write it. I've seen this happen outside of the library in other community groups that I am a part of as well and thought, "I would write that differently." But I have also learned that not every conversation needs to center my voice or one like it. And in fact, in this instance, the exact right voice was centered.

I don't know Marci personally, although I have a deep admiration for her work and the impact she has made in OLA and the Oregon library community. I also know the team at McMinnville Public Library and know that it's a fertile place for learning and growth and positive change in the McMinnville community and beyond. I respect and trust the OLA Executive Board leadership. I respect and trust many of the staff at the State Library of Oregon. And I see the status quo. I am one white library worker among so many white library workers in Oregon libraries. I see the extra work that my BIPOC colleagues have taken on in EDIA work, uncompensated. So I signed the petition, from a place of trust. I trust the petition, as written, to signify something important, in the words of those who know it best. And I trust that showing up in solidarity is the right thing to do.

I know that criticism can feel painful. I have experienced that pain. I think it's why I often shy away from writing to this listserv, out of a fear that I will make a public misstep that will be documented in writing and go out to a large group of people whose respect and admiration I want. But there is of course a time and place for criticism too. It can be wielded in a way that tears down oppressive structures. Or it can be wielded in a way that tears down marginalized people, people with less power---like BIPOC library workers. Let us always be aware of the distinction and act accordingly.

-Thea

*The views expressed are my own and not meant to represent my employer.

Thea Hart
Adult Services Librarian
West Slope Community Library
3678 SW 78th Ave
Portland, OR 97225

541-579-0607 (personal cell)
503-846-6416 (work)

thea.alex.hart at gmail.com (personal)
theah at wccls.org (work)

________________________________
From: Libs-Or <libs-or-bounces at omls.oregon.gov> on behalf of Steve Silver via Libs-Or <libs-or at omls.oregon.gov>
Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2022 10:33 AM
To: Meredith Farkas <meredith.farkas at pcc.edu>
Cc: thall at ala.org <thall at ala.org>; libs-or at omls.oregon.gov <libs-or at omls.oregon.gov>; REFORMANet at googlegroups.com <REFORMANet at googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [Libs-Or] About the Petition to the State Library of Oregon

Apologies for being late to this conversation (crazy week and just now getting to some of my emails). Meredith and Matthew have wonderfully expressed why this petition and work deserve our support. Kate, your articulate perspective on the OLA board dynamics that led to the petition is immensely helpful. Penny, your willingness to be a respectful voice raising questions about process that I had not originally considered, while still supporting the intent of the petition, is appreciated. Nancy, your explanation of the State Library's engagement with this topic, and procedures they are/will be required to follow, is a helpful addition to this conversation. Many thanks go to the OLA board for wrestling with this topic in good faith and with intention. And of course, much thanks to Marci for her leadership in this area, even while carrying the extra emotional and cognitive labor we as a profession and society far too often tacitly (or explicitly) expect from our BIPOC colleagues.

I think we can all agree that change is needed. At least I hope we can all agree on that point. Librarianship remains more white than the US population and has seen little to no improvement despite efforts and rhetoric dedicated to improving representation of BIPOC. What we have been trying to do has not been effective. New approaches are needed. Change by definition means disrupting the status quo. Disruption and change are messy and uncomfortable. If it were clean and easy we likely would have accomplished it by now. Missteps by all involved will inevitably happen as we struggle together to forge a new and better path. In my opinion, those missteps and my discomfort pale in comparison to the systematic injustice and harm we as a profession and society continue to inflict on our BIPOC colleagues, potential colleagues, and communities. Policies, procedures, and ethics exist for good reason and ought not to be lightly abandoned or ignored. But dismantling white supremacy in our profession requires dismantling policies, procedures, and even ethics that are doing harm rather than their intended good. If we are smart we will learn from our missteps, but not let them derail us from the critically important, difficult, messy work of dismantling white supremacy within our profession. This old, white, hetero, male fully supports this work being done by the OLA board, the EDI Anti-Racism committee, the State Library, and especially Marci and our other BIPOC colleagues, despite whatever mistakes will be made along the way. I continue to learn, grow, and make mistakes. May we all do the same.

Steve Silver

On Thu, Feb 17, 2022 at 9:03 AM Meredith Farkas via Libs-Or <libs-or at omls.oregon.gov<mailto:libs-or at omls.oregon.gov>> wrote:
I recognize that everyone is in different places in their journey in understanding their privilege and the insidious ways whiteness culture and racism are baked into our institutions and beliefs (as evidenced by the anonymous comments you shared). I recognize that people make mistakes on that journey and I try to have empathy for folks when they do it, but, Penny, you are not making that easy. I do not necessarily agree that asking questions isn't being an ally, but many people have responded to you to try to provide education and context and, rather than consider that you might have something more to learn here, you seem to only focus on the responses of a BIPOC man. Do you understand that for you and I, conversations like this are merely an academic discussion, whereas for our BIPOC colleagues, they are existential? I always try to keep that in-mind when I engage in these conversations, because tone-policing BIPOC in extremely asymmetric dialogues would make me look ignorant.

It is the BIPOC library workers who have pushed OLA towards this work and their unpaid labor helped create the progress that has been made so far. And I'm immensely grateful for that because their initiative helped all OLA units (including ACRL-Oregon when I served on the Board) to really look inward and investigate ways to be more inclusive and equitable. I'm honestly ashamed that I didn't focus on EDI work more during my year as ACRL President. During the years I served on and chaired the OLA Membership committee, including when you were President, there was no OLA focus on antiracist work. OLA units were incredibly homogeneous and no one seemed to have a concern about that beyond getting more representation from beyond the Willamette Valley. That you're more concerned about current optics than the lack of inclusion you helped to continue as a past OLA President is disappointing.

Progress is not made by people charitably encouraging and mentoring one or two BIPOC librarians (and then taking credit for the good work they are doing) -- it is made by fostering changes in systems. You are experienced enough to know that as a government unit, the State Library has stringent hiring policies and procedures that could not be railroaded by either Arlene, Marci, or OLA. I'm grateful that the Board sent a very clear statement of support for someone who has done SO MUCH for OLA and for BIPOC librarians in Oregon (more than encouraging two BIPOC to go to library school). Marci has helped to create SYSTEMIC CHANGE in how OLA runs and all that even before her presidential year. I'm in awe.

Your original post essentially accuses Marci and Arlene Weibel of cronyism (or at least giving the impression of cronyism), which is really insulting given your knowledge of how the OLA Board works. Are you also concerned about the cronyism that has led to BIPOC being systematically left out of positions of power in our field for generations? Are you concerned about the cronyism that still has white men overrepresented in positions of power in our field? Have you spoken up or tried to change those things? What about the optics of only being concerned about cronyism and partisanship when it is focused on supporting a BIPOC woman? And you seem unwilling to see or care about the harm you are causing Marci, which after publishing those anonymous comments is only growing. But worst is the accusation that Marci and other BIPOC have bullied the OLA Board and others into going along with something they disagree with. You've impugned not only Marci's character, but that of each individual OLA Board member, and you've made Marci doubt the very real support she has from many allies in the profession.

I hope you will reconsider your point of view.

Meredith


On Thu, Feb 17, 2022 at 8:07 AM Penelope Hummel via Libs-Or <libs-or at omls.oregon.gov<mailto:libs-or at omls.oregon.gov>> wrote:

Max--it is unfortunate that you appear to believe that any critique of a EDIA initiative, however respectfully and thoughtfully expressed, is hurtful to BIPOC people.  By saying “just stop” you are quite clearly telling me to shut up. That the only way I can avoid your repeated public censure is to either go silent, affirm everything you say, or recant my heresy.  It must be frustrating to you that unlike others, I haven’t cracked under your constant pressure.  This is exactly the toxic dynamic I was trying to address in my last post.  Thank you for demonstrating it so clearly.

I’m not sure who you’ve cc’d on this message at the American Library Association but can only hope that they are affiliated with the Office of Intellectual Freedom.

In general, I find virtue signaling to be pretentious and annoying but since I am being publicly accused of damaging my BIPOC colleagues, I will just say that there are currently two Oregon BIPOC librarians who are doing the great work they are doing in part because I saw their potential, mentored them and encouraged them to go to library school. I did so for all the same reasons that OLA is supporting its EDIA initiatives:  our profession needs to become more diverse and nurturing BIPOC talent is essential in that effort.  I fail to understand how the only way to support EDIA work is to never dare to question any of it.  And so far, no one who has been engaged in this current conversation has addressed this issue.  Reiterating how important EDIA work is (which I wholeheartedly agree with) does not address this issue.

You are entitled to behave on this listserv however you want.  What surprises me are the number of people in our community who continue to lavish public praise on you despite the nature of your discourse. You write below “Anyone who has eyes can make their own judgements about you and your behavior.”

Yes, Max, that’s quite true.  Anyone who has eyes can make their own judgements about you and your behavior.

I stand by mine.


Penny Hummel

PENNY HUMMEL CONSULTING

penny at pennyhummel.com<mailto:penny at pennyhummel.com> | 503.890.0494 | www.pennyhummel.com<https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pennyhummel.com%2F&data=04%7C01%7Ctheah%40wccls.org%7Ccf20e9bee2dc48757caf08d9f24416f2%7C4c8e58121f9643d092babbbeaa7b293c%7C1%7C0%7C637807196578058357%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=uXyLimX%2FAv0ujMwojzCFwEEHdIZCYdokiZfv9K%2F9Fqs%3D&reserved=0>



Ensuring that libraries survive and thrive in challenging times





From: Max Macias <max.macias at gmail.com<mailto:max.macias at gmail.com>>
Date: Thursday, February 17, 2022 at 6:05 AM
To: Penelope Hummel <penny at pennyhummel.com<mailto:penny at pennyhummel.com>>
Cc: "libs-or at omls.oregon.gov<mailto:libs-or at omls.oregon.gov>" <libs-or at omls.oregon.gov<mailto:libs-or at omls.oregon.gov>>, "REFORMANet at googlegroups.com<mailto:REFORMANet at googlegroups.com>" <REFORMANet at googlegroups.com<mailto:REFORMANet at googlegroups.com>>, <thall at ala.org<mailto:thall at ala.org>>
Subject: Re: [Libs-Or] About the Petition to the State Library of Oregon



Ms. Hummel,



Thank you--it is great to know where people stand.



When white people are scared to talk and they find a spokesperson for them--such as you--a mass of pity is created for them.



However, when BIPOC raise concerns on this email list they are labelled as aggressive, as 'using tactics" to intimidate people--they are castigated and ostracized.



You, Ms. Hummel are being aggressive, unprofessional and are using intimidation tactics against BIPOC who are doing Equity, DIversity, Inclusion and Antiracism work in Oregon.



I'm not going to label your behavior--I wouldn't want to be accused of being aggressive.



Anyone who has eyes can make their own judgements about you and your behavior.



Please stop now--you are hurting people.





Max Macias



On Wed, Feb 16, 2022 at 9:58 PM Penelope Hummel via Libs-Or <libs-or at omls.oregon.gov<mailto:libs-or at omls.oregon.gov>> wrote:

Since my post late Monday raising ethical concerns in light of the OLA Executive Board’s endorsement of a petition promoting its president-elect for a position at the state library, I’ve had 20 different people contact me about it privately. (It’s been a busy couple of days.)

One of them likened my original post to a public lynching.

The other 19 were from people I know well and people I don’t know at all.  They live all over the state, are early career, mid-career and retired, are managers and front-line staff.  They are your colleagues and quite possibly, your good friends. They may see some things differently than you do regardless of whether you know that about them or not.

Almost all stated that they did not feel safe publicly disclosing what they had to say to me.  So, with their permission, I am sharing some representative comments anonymously.  My focus here is not to rehash points I’ve already made about the EDIA petition, but rather to raise the issue of how we (as the Oregon library community) hold respectful space for each other to express dissenting points of view.  As you encounter the recurring themes in these comments, I hope you will ask yourself:  how are we doing on that?
_________________________________________________________________________

I feel silenced and unwelcome in this discussion given the language and the tactics that are being used.  I appreciate you speaking up and asking good questions because I obviously cannot. Libraries have an opportunity to provide a place where civil discourse can happen, a place where false dichotomies and polarization are discouraged.   There’s a real need for that in the world right now. The dialogue needs to be constructive.

__________________________________________________________________________



Thank you for speaking up about this. I am sorry to see, once again, anyone offering up constructive criticism of anything being done by anyone having to do with EDIA efforts is being labeled as, “those who would keep whiteness in control of everything”. Unfortunately, this always turns personal and misses the point.



Your assessment of the issue of conflict of interest was spot on, as well as your assessment of how things may have gone with the executive board. I have spoken with several colleagues today that saw it that way as well. But we fear speaking up publicly about it because of how we’ve seen things pan out in the past. I am still relatively early in my library career and don’t feel I can speak up in good faith without it being seen as a personal attack that leads to potential retaliation.
__________________________________________________________________________

Thank you so much for this statement. This is exactly how I felt when I read the petition, which I did not sign for this very reason. I am concerned that this will be noted by some and hurt my standing within the OLA ranks.
__________________________________________________________________________



 I share the same concerns as you, regarding the appropriateness of the petition and the conflict of interest, but I do not feel like that I can step forward. So I appreciate you giving voice to the potential ethical issues with the petition.

 _________________________________________________________________________

What you did is very brave and currently I am not brave enough to stand with you publicly and I am ashamed of that. While it may sound extreme, I am afraid of losing my ability to keep my job, or get another library job, if I speak up.

__________________________________________________________________________



I felt compelled to write and just let you know I appreciate what you shared on libs-or about “groupthink” and concerns about conflict of interest regarding the EDIA petition. I, too, have been concerned about both of these things, both in this instance and many others.



I do feel like we (the collective ‘we’ of OLA) have been demonstrating some concerning behavior where if an idea/request/thought/initiative is presented under the lens of EDIA, it appears through repeated examples that they are accepted, cart blanche, without active discourse of clear critical thought.  I personally do feel unsafe bringing up dissenting opinions for the exact fear that was just enacted on you, which is public ridicule and criticism, immediately casting one out as not being an “ally” or supporting the needs and advances of our EDIA directives.

 __________________________________________________________________________

I have concerns with the EDI Toolkit distributed, was it vetted by an HR attorney of reasonable experience? If not, I would consider it slanted advice, I don’t need the grief in my life to ask that question at this point. I am glad you made the points you did today. I was not surprised to see the responses that came.
___________________________________________________________________________

My colleague and I discussed this and we do not believe commenting on the forum would accomplish much of anything other than creating trouble for us and possibly destroying our respective careers.  I read the petition and was dismayed at its divisive language and also that the author of the petition was being promoted as the perfect person to fulfill the new prospective job position, especially in light of her current position of being an incoming OLA president.  Like you, I felt this to be a conflict of interest. I would like to see the petition worded differently and the conflict of interest in naming Marci Ramiro Jenkins specifically for it be taken out in order to garner my support.  If I state this however then I’m labeled instantly as a racist so I won’t say anything. I appreciate that you took the leadership to address what you saw as problems with the petition in a way that I’d not be surprised was similar to the way a number of us saw it.  However open discussion and diversity of opinions no longer seems to be allowed, not even in the library world.

__________________________________________________________________________

I wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your posts to Libs-Or concerning the petition. I don't feel capable of navigating the hazardous trail of this discussion openly but have shared your concerns with this process. You have eloquently addressed them in a respectful way, which I so appreciate.  Like so many librarians I know and respect, I want to see BIPOC rise in the profession. I see this issue making it more difficult to navigate, especially after reading the September statement by WOC-LIB. Carry on and know how much you are appreciated for your ability to speak out. I am not alone in knowing that you are doing so with the best interest in the advancement of all libraries and librarians.
__________________________________________________________________________



Penny Hummel

PENNY HUMMEL CONSULTING

penny at pennyhummel.com<mailto:penny at pennyhummel.com> | 503.890.0494 | www.pennyhummel.com<https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pennyhummel.com%2F&data=04%7C01%7Ctheah%40wccls.org%7Ccf20e9bee2dc48757caf08d9f24416f2%7C4c8e58121f9643d092babbbeaa7b293c%7C1%7C0%7C637807196578058357%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=uXyLimX%2FAv0ujMwojzCFwEEHdIZCYdokiZfv9K%2F9Fqs%3D&reserved=0>



Ensuring that libraries survive and thrive in challenging times
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