Shonda Brisco <sbrisco@FWCDS.ORG> Wrote:
> While we might look at the surface of this issue and take sides based upon >whose
>agenda is being attacked, I think one of the major concerns I have is >the >idea
>that when a university librarian offers suggestions, he is being >accused >of
>harassment---......
> How many >of us have a "clearly balanced" collection on all topics that might >be
>offensive to others?
...................................
> I'm not flaming anyone....I'm just asking the profession to think beyond the
> initial situation and ask "how would this affect me?" route to take today?
......................................
> (Sorry, it's just one of those days....I had to "rabblerouse" a little...)
> ~Shonda
*************************************************************
Hi Shonda and Fellow LM_Netters,
I guess I am part of the rabble that has been roused:
I do agree that the larger issue is a librarian’s freedom to offer suggestions
without being attacked for those suggestions. However, there are always limits to
what I will bring in to make a “balanced collection.” I’m not going to offer books
about how to make a bomb, how to commit suicide, etc. And I’m not going to bring
in hate literature that disparages races, ethnic groups, etc. So the question is
whether anti-gay literature is hate literature. I say yes, it is. Certainly,
anti-gay literature can be harmful in high school and college settings when we
consider that among high school and college students:
•84% personally had been verbally harassed at school because of their sexual
orientation;
•27.1% had been physically harassed because of their gender expression; 11.5% had
been assaulted on that basis;
•64.3% felt unsafe in their school because of their sexual orientation;
•LGBT students are far more likely than their non-gay peers to run away from home,
to experience academic problems, and to struggle with substance abuse, low
self-esteem, and depression;
•Gay youth are 4 times as likely than their non-gay counterparts to have attempted
suicide.
(Source: Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund. Fact Sheet.
http://www.lambdalegal.org/binary-data/LAMBDA_PDF/pdf/158.pdf)
As the advisor of CRHS South GSA, I am often citing these facts and see the harmful
effects of harassment firsthand.
Just my thoughts from one of the rabble ---
Debra Gniewek
Librarian
CRHS South
2002 Rock Way
Holland, PA 18966
dgniewek@crsd.org
dgniewek@comcast.net
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