Dear DCSLA Community Members,
The past few weeks have been among the most challenging in our country in a long time. The dangers of a viral pandemic have created economic hardship and recent acts of racial injustice have motivated action and raised awareness to drive a change to a more equitable society.
This past Sunday, June 14th, was Flag Day. It is a day on which we recognize that our flag is a symbol of who we are and where we have come from as a nation, as well as an emblem of our hope for the betterment of our country, and our trust in our ability as Americans to move towards a future where all people, of all backgrounds, can be treated as equals.
A real discourse about what is taking place in our society, and the ideas that are shaping events, needs to be had, but that requires greater understanding and learning from all. Librarians and archivists are at the forefront of public service in our public libraries and archives, and as the backbone of institutions that provide the necessary research for informed decision-making.
As the leadership of this SLA community, we are all committed to using our voices to ‘actively combat’ racism (see SLA Press Release). We have and will in future find opportunities to instill greater respect for the ideas and voices of the members of our association, our communities, and our profession. We will work diligently to represent divergent perspectives in our programming while, at the same time, not placing a burden of representation on a small group of people.
Through our virtual programming, get-togethers, InfoBites and book discussion series, we will challenge ourselves and you, as our colleagues, to be open to new voices and to build each other up through listening to one another more intently and with more grace and compassion. This community is one that strives to be welcoming to all; we must be thoughtful in challenging what we are today and in developing a vision for what we can become in the future. We need your presence, your voice, and your willingness to be open to change towards the good.
Thank you for being a part of this community and for joining us to stand against injustice while we work to build a better world for everyone in the ways that we, as individuals, are able.
-Be Well and Stay Engaged
This message was developed with contributions from the members of the DC SLA Community’s Board.