Black Americans, Reparations Now

Now that the G8 has pledged 40 billion in debt relief (effectively wiping out Africa's world debt) to Africa, what will it take to organize Black Americans around demanding reparations for enslavement?

Using Library Space to Help Black Males

Henry Marsh is a 26 year-old entreprenuer who has founded an organization designed to help black males achieve their goals of attending college. Wash believes there are three reasons so few African-American males attend and finish college. “It comes down to a lack of social support, a lack of emotional support and a lack of academic support.” Participants meet in the Lucile H. Bluford Library at 3050 Prospect Ave. in Kansas, MO at 9am the second Saturday of every month. Read the article here: http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/local/9035070.htm?1c

Rap Lyrics on Student's Summer Reading List?

Imagine a summer reading list that includes Tupac Shakur, among others... Far right Fox News has recently published a column degrading a decision by Mass. teachers to include Pac's book of poetry on a summer reading list. Now, that's diversity. Read the story here: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,124415,00.html

AAUW Information Sciences Fellowship

Here's an opportunity in the information science profession for people of color: American Association of University Women (AAUW): Selected Professions Fellowships PURPOSE: Annual awards to support women in designated fields of graduate study where female participation has traditionally been low. AWARD: For master's and first professional degrees: $5,000 to $12,000. For engineering dissertation awards: $20,000. The fellowship year begins in July following the application deadline and continues through the following June. APPLICATION: www.aauw.org Deadline for master's and first professional degree applicants is January 10; applications are available until December 20. Forms and information are available at the Web site. AAUW Educational Foundation, c/o Customer Service Center, 2201 North Dodge Street, Dept. 177, Iowa City, IA 52243-4030. Telephone: 319-337-1716 extension 177.

Results of the National Diversity in Libraries Conference

The NDLC has recently updated its website with info from the conference held on May 4-5. I attended and it was great seeing friends and learning about the ways librarians from all over are implementing "diversity."

Welcome and Share!

Welcome to this blog site. I hope you find the content interesting and the topic hot enough for you to share your perspectives. Considering I have many concerns about the role, issues, and needs of minorities in librarianship I think this is a great way to share them. Most of the time I talk to friends and other people in the profession and I get the impression that there are mixed feelings about minority recruitment and retention in our field. Some people I know have/are opting out as a result of negative experiences. While I don't want to "opt out" I would like to learn how I can excel in the profession. So, if you want to share your concerns or thoughts, or if you just want to reply to my ranting...then this web blog is for you!