The following post is one in a regular series on issues of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility, compiled by a team of OCLC contributors.
Racism and health research guide
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU – OCLC Symbol: VRC) ) Libraries has announced the release of the new Racism and Health VCU Libraries Guide, created to help educate students, staff, and the broader community on the ways “the healthcare system can perpetuate discriminatory practices that can greatly impact the care of patients and their trust in providers.” Erica Brody, research and education librarian at the VCU Health Sciences Library, initiated the project in collaboration with fellow research and education librarian Samantha Guss, the liaison to the VCU School of Population Health. The guide is filled with videos, articles, books, primary sources, and database links on these subtopics: racism in healthcare, teaching about racism and health, resources for conducting research on racism and health, social determinants of health, and initiatives to address racism and health.
In our work at OCLC, we’re seeing increased discussions across multiple sectors, about the social determinants of health, defined as “the conditions in the environments where people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks.” (Healthy People 2030) This new guide provides valuable information, research, and resources to help inform the work of libraries of all sizes and types, as they seek to understand the ways racism impacts patron access to equitable healthcare and health-related information. Contributed by Jennifer Peterson.
Kingston Frontenac Public Library supports menstrual equity
On 28 November 2023, the online news site The Kinstonist reported that the Kingston Frontenac Public Library (OCLC Symbol: CNKFP) will be supplying free period products in all library washrooms to promote menstrual equity. According to a 2022 Plan Canada study, one in five of those who menstruate acknowledge they have struggled to afford products for themselves or dependents and have been forced to ration products because they could not afford more. KFPL said that public libraries are strategically positioned to address this need, serving diverse populations in rural and urban areas, including individuals facing financial challenges. “Our commitment to menstrual equity is reflected in our efforts to enhance accessibility for everyone,” said Kristen Lemay, Manager of Branches and Collections for KFPL. “Placing these products in men’s washrooms is a deliberate choice, ensuring anyone can easily access them for personal use or to support partners, family members, and friends.”
For many members of our community who face financial challenges, public libraries have become irreplaceable resources for all kinds of needs. We must continue to support our public libraries for identifying those needs and promoting programs that address them. Contributed by Morris Levy.
Readings about racist humor
The JSTOR Daily series Reading Lists provides short topical bibliographies with free access to JSTOR research articles (indicated by a “J” icon next to the article’s title). The bibliography “Racist Humor: Exploratory Readings” introduces readers to the history and theory of racist humor. Author Pratiksha Thangam Menon suggests articles focusing on the harm caused by humor mocking a race or ethnicity group in Western culture. The scope of these articles demonstrates the long history of racist humor—from medieval and Renaissance English drama to American television shows.
As Menon reminds us “disparagement based on ascribed identities such as race, gender, sexual orientation, and so on can be normalized through everyday joking.” It’s easy to see the harmful effects a buffoon devil portrayed by a blackface actor because we have 400 years of evidence demonstrating that. It’s much harder to know when current humor about a difficult subject like race becomes “racist humor.” I’ve decided for myself that I will keep laughing at funny jokes and keep reading articles like these. There is no litmus test for racist humor, but awareness helps. Contributed by Kate James.
Fight Book Bans Act
More than fifty members of the United States Congress have already indicated support for H.R.6592, the Fight Book Bans Act, introduced on 5 December 2023, by Florida Democratic Representative Maxwell Alejandro Frost. The proposed bill authorizes the U.S. Secretary of Education to provide funding to school districts to defend against challenges to books and other educational materials. As Representative Frost states, the proposal “takes a stand against censorship to firmly stand on the side of history, education, our students, teachers, and schools, who don’t deserve to suffer the consequences of radical politics in the classroom. This is about protecting our libraries and protecting truth and history.” In Publisher’s Weekly, Andrew Albanese writes about this and related legislation, Congress Introduces New Bill to Fight Book Bans in Schools.
As challenges to books and educational materials have proliferated, it is gratifying to see some national legislators fighting back to protect readers, students, schools, and libraries. Albanese’s essay cites important corroborating work from the American Library Association Office for Intellectual Freedom and the free expression advocacy organization PEN America. Contributed by Jay Weitz.
Merrilee Proffitt is Senior Manager for the OCLC RLP. She provides community development skills and expert support to institutions within the OCLC Research Library Partnership.