Drowned Disillusions
Hridi Das, Creative Up Root Publication Hridi Das, Creative Up Root Publication

Drowned Disillusions

Hridi Das uses poetic prose to reimagine the disillusionment of BIPOC librarians in a fantasy imbued with elements of the sea. The use of metaphor gives a quality of anthropomorphization to the “90% of LIS is white” statistic. The piece sets the scene by starting off with statements that are direct to the injustice suffered, some inspired by recent events, others old as time. The writing takes a deep dive from there on by immersing the reader into the fantasy world.

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The House Archives Built
Dorothy Berry, Feature Dorothy Berry Dorothy Berry, Feature Dorothy Berry

The House Archives Built

The current trend focusing on liberating the concept of archives from physical institutions has served to mentally leave behind Black collections held in predominantly white institutions. Dorothy Berry reflects on the conflict of archives versus the archives, and how the fundamental structures of archives can disserve Black archival subjects by foregrounding ownership, collecting, and homogeneity.

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Letter to Asian Diasporic Library Workers
Call to Action, Column Up Root Publication Call to Action, Column Up Root Publication

Letter to Asian Diasporic Library Workers

A group of Asian diasporic library workers reflecting on recent events including the recent surge of anti-Asian violence especially in the Bay Area, anti-Black responses to that violence in Asian communities, and the controversy around School Library Journal’s February cover. They decided to write this call to action in hopes of highlighting ways that we can build solidarity among Black, Indigenous, and people of color.

Content warning: Mentions of racism and violence

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