2023 - November and December - page 20
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| Issue number | 395 |
|---|---|
| ISSN | 2632-7171 |
| Publication date | 1st November 2023 |
| Transcription |
magazine Feature More robust statements also include: ● An acknowledgement that archives are not neutral ● A list of action items to be more inclusive like using people-first language, working with relevant communities to create culturally sensitive descriptions and identifying creator language with quotation marks. A harmful language statement is a great step in being more inclusive in your archival work. If you are thinking of creating a statement, be purposeful in your efforts. This includes doing your homework to look at other statements and reading their suggested resources. Look at the larger picture of social justice in archives and think about what other actions your organisation plans to take to promote more inclusive descriptive practice. Lastly, give yourself time to create your statement. The surveyed repositories shared that it took several months to a year to create theirs. This allowed time to research other statements and resources, align goals and actions and streamline processes. Investing time and thoughtfulness will be apparent in your final product. Remember that being more inclusive in archival practice is a learning process and takes time. We may not get it all right at first, but we can make strides in the right direction and continue to grow. Women's march © Lindsay Loebig groups and institutional specific policies like equity, diversity and inclusion (E.D.I.) plans. The two most cited resources are Temple University Special Collections Research Center’s harmful language statement and the Archives for Black Lives Matter in Philadelphia Anti- Racist Description Resources. When it comes to the makeup of harmful language statements, they vary from short and simple to robust and comprehensive. Each repository conveys their own message that best fits their users and organisation. While each statement is unique, you will find similar characteristics. They are: ● An explanation of why harmful language exists in archives ● A method of contact like an email or online form to report offensive content ● A blurb informing users that descriptive practice is iterative. 20 About the Author: Lindsay Loebig is an American record-keeping professional currently working as a documents manager at AerCap in Dublin, Ireland. She holds a B.A. in Political Science and French from the University of Arizona, a M.Ed. in Human Relations (educational psychology) from Northern Arizona University and a M.A. in Archives and Records Management from University College Dublin. Loebig started her career journey in non-profit and then built a decade-long career working in international admissions and student affairs for U.S. universities. Her master’s thesis was entitled, Exploring the Process of Creation and the Content of Harmful Language Statements in U.S. University Archives (2022). |