We asked Journalist/Owner of Donna Marie Consulting and Founder of Grammar + Chill Donna Marbury four important questions about racial injustice, inequity and libraries.
What are your thoughts on racial inequality and injustice today?
It’s unfortunate that so many institutions have the creative, diverse, beautiful perspectives right in their communities, but lack the vision to see thought leaders and change agents in people who don’t look like them. In Columbus, so many of my peers and even myself….we’re just getting recognition for our drive and creativity that has been here for years. The class and racial divides in Columbus have been exacerbated in the last year, and people are on edge. I pray for peace in this city, not to protect buildings or the public façade, but for self-preservation of my people. I just hope the continued focus on these injustices sparks those who have the voice and the privilege to put their own paychecks, social status and safety on the line to truly bring about a better city. Only time will tell.
Have you seen libraries respond?
Libraries have always been an oasis, to me. Books make us feel joy, pain…they help us escape and they force us to see reality. So I’ve been a frequent user of Columbus libraries over the past year, mostly to give my son a connection to the outside world. He is six years old, and as an only child, the disruption of the past year has been a huge adjustment to us both. I don’t know what we would’ve done without access to the library–I remember when businesses began shutting down in March 2020, the first place I went was the library! I got at least 90 books for us to read, as I had no idea when things would reopen. Even going through the drive thru, the library has been an essential place for us to maintain that connection to normalcy as the world is evolving.
Could libraries do more? If so, how?
I am someone who utilizes the library for so many of its offerings! I am still visiting once a week, I use digital and audio books, I use storytime for my son…I take recommendations from librarians. I see a lot of talks on race and diversity…I haven’t taken part in them but I am glad they are happening.
Any closing thoughts?
Watching the Black creative community respond to the turmoil of the past year has been both enlightening and a salve. I wish so much of our creativity wasn’t tied up in fighting for our rights. But Black joy, pain, sadness, passion, anger and weariness is all tied up in our art. It’s exhausting but important to take the weight of the world out of our minds and into the universe. I took a virtual class with Dr. Treva Lindsay through Zora’s House, and she introduced me to radical dreaming…imagining a world where oppression, systematic and institutional racism and misogyny don’t exist. It’s actually hard to imagine. It shows me that so much Black time and talent is wasted on navigating these constructs. As Toni Morrison said:
“The function, the very serious function of racism is distraction. It keeps you from doing your work. It keeps you explaining, over and over again, your reason for being. Somebody says you have no language and you spend twenty years proving that you do. Somebody says your head isn’t shaped properly so you have scientists working on the fact that it is. Somebody says you have no art, so you dredge that up. Somebody says you have no kingdoms, so you dredge that up. None of this is necessary. There will always be one more thing.”
Libraries Rise: Black Perspective on Libraries
Cbus Libraries asked six leaders inside and out of libraries their thoughts on racial injustice and inequality. All responses are the leaders’ personal reflections and not necessarily representative of the organizations they are part of. The six-part feature will be serialized over the months of February and March, 2021. Check back weekly on Mondays for the latest feature and follow our tag, #LibrariesRise.
About Cbus Libraries
Cbus Libraries’ mission is to champion Central Ohio libraries, library enthusiasts and the love of reading. Co-founded by two librarians, Andrea Dixon and Bryan Loar, Cbus Libraries reaches more than 9,000 online followers worldwide, features Central Ohio libraries, has raised more than $1,100 in scholarship funds for librarians of color and has gifted over 5,000 books to the community. Cbus Libraries is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
We asked Oberlin College Co-Interim Director of Libraries Tracy Sutherland four important questions about racial injustice and inequity as well as how libraries have responded and could address.
What are your thoughts on racial inequality and injustice today?
I feel that both are finally getting more attention and people are actively becoming more educated and aware of both. Becoming proactive rather than reactive is the key.
Have you seen libraries respond?
Over the years I have personally witnessed some libraries taking on a serious stance as far as collections go. Typically, (this involves them first) focusing on their lack of diversity but then making real efforts to create a process to purchase titles specifically by authors of color to create a more diverse collection and one that represents their communities.
Could libraries do more? If so, how?
One way would be to create real diversity fellowships that support librarians of color. Many are up to adding a diversity fellow, but I have yet to see one that creates equity, support, and mentorship for that fellow.
Any closing thoughts?
Creating educational programs, exhibits, and allowing the space within libraries for dialog that address racial inequality is paramount.
Libraries Rise: Black Perspective on Libraries
Cbus Libraries asked six leaders inside and out of libraries their thoughts on racial injustice and inequality. All responses are the leaders’ personal reflections and not necessarily representative of the organizations they are part of. The six-part feature will be serialized over the months of February and March, 2021. Check back weekly on Mondays for the latest feature and follow our tag, #LibrariesRise.
About Cbus Libraries
Cbus Libraries’ mission is to champion Central Ohio libraries, library enthusiasts and the love of reading. Co-founded by two librarians, Andrea Dixon and Bryan Loar, Cbus Libraries reaches more than 9,000 online followers worldwide, features Central Ohio libraries, has raised more than $1,100 in scholarship funds for librarians of color and has gifted over 5,000 books to the community. Cbus Libraries is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
We asked visual artist, designer, and social justice advocate Lisa McLymont four important questions about racial injustice and inequity as well as how libraries have responded and could address.
What are your thoughts on racial inequality and injustice today?
My thoughts mainly hover around me creatively putting myself where I am both reasonably safe and where I can promote Blackness in positive ways, possibly helping to redefine what allies see and react to as they work to dismantle hate in places where Blacks can’t be heard. The fight of Black people is to protect and lift each other, while the fight of white people is to dismantle the systemic racism that plagues a majority of our world and empowers those who think less of us to oppress and terrorize us. Before I die, I’d like to see hate beat back deep into the shadows and see equality and equity prevail. We have such a long way to go and much work to do.
Have you seen libraries respond?
Yes, by providing access to materials during the pandemic and allowing families to use resources like Wi-Fi when they don’t have it at home. I believe books are mental getaways that our bodies may never be able to travel to, freedom in pockets where everyday we are reminded that some do not think we belong here. Books provide knowledge and inspiration about all the reasons why we do belong here.
The recent large book club event was a smart move by the library!* I’m sorry to have missed out on the author discussion.
Could libraries do more? If so, how?
More discussions on race and inequality, and also on how intricately tied we all are though we are white/black, male/female, queer/straight, rich/poor, abled/disabled, young/old, etc. We can use what libraries have to offer by learning to find commonality and working to erase the boundaries limiting us all.
Any closing thoughts?
None right now.
*Let’s Talk About Race: One Book – One Community. Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML) partnered with eight central Ohio library systems for a citywide reading initiative. The selected book was STAMPED: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi, and the initiative culminated with a discussion with Jason Reynolds on January 24, 2021.
Libraries Rise: Black Perspective on Libraries
Cbus Libraries asked six leaders inside and out of libraries their thoughts on racial injustice and inequality. All responses are the leaders’ personal reflections and not necessarily representative of the organizations they are part of. The six-part feature will be serialized over the months of February and March, 2021. Check back weekly on Mondays for the latest feature and follow our tag, #LibrariesRise.
About Cbus Libraries
Cbus Libraries’ mission is to champion Central Ohio libraries, library enthusiasts and the love of reading. Co-founded by two librarians, Andrea Dixon and Bryan Loar, Cbus Libraries reaches more than 9,000 online followers worldwide, features Central Ohio libraries, has raised more than $1,100 in scholarship funds for librarians of color and has gifted over 5,000 books to the community. Cbus Libraries is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.