Advocacy and Immigration (no take-backs this time?)

“Library advocacy for immigrants is increasingly dependent on the U.S. Congress to reform a broken and unfair immigration system.” (Jones Jr., 2020)

We’re back for another folks, so strap in. I’m currently in a library as I write this, and can confirm that they are awesome (as if you didn’t know that already). As I’m learning about the plight of others among natural disasters, economic and technological uncertainty, and the recurring and repugnant political and social change I found a article that details a bit about multiculturalism and the library. Considering the last post was multicultural as all get out, I want to Get down with the Get down , and DOUBLE DOWN, in talking about why diversity [read; immigrants] has impacted myself, libraries, and this country (USA) for the better.

We can start with our heels on the ground and dug in to keep from getting blown away in this whirlwind of an emotional topic. Solid ground? The ALA.

“The ALA Committee on Work with the Foreign Born (CWFB), established in February 1918, was the first ALA organization charged exclusively to serve immigrants as a clearly defined population” (Jones Jr., 2020) Reading this informs me that in the early 20th century a change was occurring. An influx of immigrants–so much so that immigrant Prescence in daily life demanded and mandated more systems in place to serve this population. Their Mission was, “to collect from libraries and to supply to them information on desirable
methods of assisting in the education of the foreign born, in American ideals
and customs and the English language.” (American Library Association (ALA), 1918, Library Journal 43 (2): 120 (quote). Efforts from this department were focused on what were called Americanization services.

(indianastatelibrary, 2019)

World War II saw to a massive decrease in new immigration but the need still remained for Americanization efforts. The end of the war effectively spelled the demise of the CFWB and its not-so lofty and all-too-necessary goals.

The new ALA Committee on Intercultural Action had four, seemingly
unrelated, goals: (1) to foster tolerance
and understanding among cultural
groups; (2) to promote an appreciation
for diversity among racial and ethnic
groups; (3) to support the aims and
work of the United Nations, especially UNESCO; and (4) to disseminate information on race, group dynamics, and techniques for handling
potential violence due to racial friction.
The only goal of the former CWFB
that remained was promoting an appreciation for diversity, which broadly
included multiculturalism.

(Jones Jr., 2020)

So where did the enthusiasm go?

This statement provides a poignant definition of our responsibility as librarians: “…librarians have a theoretical and practical responsibility for community-building efforts that recognize cultural diversity, economic inequalities, and the urgent need for social solidarity” (Hudson, 2017, p. 147). It seems as though as this population is engaged with the best of intentions, they are often failed in the long run leading to public perceptions that they simply are not priorities. This in turn influences public perception of these populations, ergo public policy regarding immigration and services to immigrants. I feel grief, wondering if there is any sort of organizing that can take place to influence where things are going or if this simply a one track trolley problem.

hmmm.

As long as we continue the process of “otherizing” non-white populations, and treating European-American as the center through which all realities converge, we will not prioritize marginalized populations adequately in libraries. That is not to say that white, European-Americans are not important (tread carefully lest ye turn into Dr. Umar haha). I am simply saying we have had hundreds of years of their stories, fundamental principles, colonialism, history, agendas, and white needs addressed on the world stage all while sidelining and benching any needs from populations that either [or both] 1) don’t look like them or 2) are not completely enmeshed in and espaliered to the quintessential white American rhetoric, virtues, philosophies, and belief systems.

Libraries are at the forefront of access to information and in this digital age, information is the new gold. Governments, companies, and yes even the individual crave it. We have access to news faster than ever and can know what our aunt is doing on her trip halfway across the world on her trip to London without so much as a 2 minute warning. The library is often the first place people (not just immigrants but ANY people) find in a new place. Once its learned that services are mostly free it becomes pivotal in engaging with education, social needs, and resources that may otherwise be difficult or confounding to locate. Idk dude, it seems like everyone should be offered a third space ( I need to learn more about third spaces).

This post could have been longer but TBH its a little exasperating right? Anyway if you are following the news, I pray Its not too much for you to contend with in your day to day.

And if you’re one of them ones saying “America is Back Baby!” as you watch the headlines and comment sections explode, let me tell you it never left–it moves through cycles of progression, reversion, evolution, and rebirth and subsequently we should believe in a promised land for ALL because it helps ALL of America when we rise together.

best,

Sources

B. Ramin Naderi. “Public Libraries for Immigrant Communities.” The International Journal of Information, Diversity, & Inclusion, vol. 8, no. 3/4, 2024, https://doi.org/10.33137/ijidi.v8i2.43633

Hudson, D. J. (2017). On “diversity” as anti-racism in library and information studies: A critique. Journal of Critical Library and Information Studies, 1(1), Article 1.

https://doi.org/10.24242/jclis.v1i1.6

indianastatelibrary. (2019, August 22). Library service to immigrant communities: Then and now. Indiana State Library.  https://blog.library.in.gov/library-service-to-immigrant-communities-then-and-now/