From the library world,
In recent news from the State of Georgia, a bill is being developed to allow libraries to sever ties with the American Library Association. The backlash, according to NPR, has been led by a conservative Christian lobbying group fueled by a social media post (surprise surprise) written by the ALA’s openly queer president, Emily Drabinski. Emily is an advocate for the queer community and has been a progressive voice for them, but if this bill passes, it will enable libraries to be able to censor (and remove certain “liberal” rhetoric) from their own collections which, in my opinion, is an abuse of power. I wanted to give my thoughts from two angles: my own Christian perspective, and my professional librarian perspective.
As a person of Christian conviction, I find it difficult to converse with non-Christians without being quickly dismissed as a homophobe, transphobe or you-name-it-phobe. I am blessed to have many incredible queer friends but I’m terrified to be myself around them because I fear to be seen as someone who might threaten or condemn their identity. I’m rooted in my faith, but just because I may not agree with someone’s lifestyle, doesn’t mean I can’t share a meal, be kind, or walk through life with them. I cringe when both Christians and non-Christians repost a meme about their beliefs to rally support- it isn't a productive way to encourage healthy conflict and conversation, but it is a quick way to get people to unfollow you. In the same way the U.S. conservatives want to control what books a library can have, unfollowing someone ironically self-censors your newsfeed to show you only things you want to agree with, which is everything against what a public library stands for.
I remember catching an interview with Jordan Peterson where the interviewer asked him something like, "Why do you follow (controversial figure) if you don't agree with their beliefs?" and he responded with something like, "I'm keeping an eye on the other side". It made me stop and think for a moment. Jonathan Friedman, director of the free expressions program at PEN America says if we only follow people with the same beliefs as ourselves, (it imposes) “a narrow ideological world view” which the predominantly white, male, Christian-influenced world is currently struggling to navigate. This is my oath as a professional: to never let my own personal convictions interfere with someone’s learning or curiosity.
I don't think we should all agree with each other- that would make life boring- but we should be able to challenge each other in love, humility, and respect. If you take emotion out of an argument, it’s just a conversation. Humans are inherently flawed, which is why we need to fight for one of the last remaining safe spaces where ideas can exist freely without censorship. As librarians and encouragers of learning, tolerance and understanding, it is critical that we try to find ways to come together and listen. The challenge is to be able to foster these environments without creating more division.
And of course I can't post the news article because, you know, the law. You can find it by Googling: "In Georgia, a bill to cut all ties with the American Library Association is advancing" (Source: NPR)
