March 11, 2013
I may have just written a long criticism of the #diversity-50 project

thelifeguardlibrarian:

adejesus:

I don’t often use my tumblr for serious things… but I figured, with this? Why not. 

So, I’m interested because being a part of that “white, hetero, and cis” crowd I don’t share that the feeling the Schiller’s post was “not for me” nor did that feeling even occur to me as a way to feel (I facepalm over things like this more and more frequently). But what of Schiller’s invitation to suggest readings to him (which Fobazi has done here)? What about having to find somewhere, some place to start this discussion?

I think reading out of the box is a great idea, no matter what background/perspective you’re coming from.  As much as I can see adejesus’s perspective on Schiller’s original post, I still think that we can all happily benefit from “diversifying” our lit, whatever that means to us.

To me, it means not only authors of different backgrounds, but also picking up different types of books.  For me, this means a (wait for it) YA novel here and there - I never read them (unless they’re written by friends, like this awesome novel by Sean Joyce).  I’m also not a huge fantasy/sci fi person, so maybe I’ll even add that to my year’s reading. 

As an aside, I love how deeply LIS folks think about issues like diversity and understanding. 

(Source: satifice)

March 3, 2013
My Year of Reading Diversely

thelifeguardlibrarian:

thepinakes:

Librarian and admitted “white cisgendered dude” Nicholas Schiller has a request:

Disclaimer: this is not my idea, it is not a new idea. I take no credit for this idea, but I think it is a good one and I’d like to invite others to join me. In 2013 I’m setting myself the goal of reading 50 works by writers of color and other creators who have a cultural perspective different than my own. I think I have a lot to learn and this is a great way to start to fill in some gaps. I’d love it if other librarians and friends joined in. If you don’t share my need for an influx of new perspectives, will you share reading suggestions from your experience on great work that has been overlooked?

Read his post for a full explanation of why he feels the need to expand his understanding, and chime in with your suggestions for his reading list.

My Year of Reading Diversely | Nicholas Schiller, information. games.

I’d love to see this list. Game changers for me include The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven by Sherman Alexie and probably anything I’ve read by Toni Morrison.

I’m into this. Post-Colonial Lit had a major impact on me in college, I’d love to revisit.

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