Sarah wrote:
>These discussions are not "plotting and scheming". This is a valid
discussion
>relevant to the library profession as a whole, and it concerns our
responsibility
>as a profession within wider society. I for one would like this profession
to acknowledge
>and discuss these issues, and LIS-LINK is a very valuable resource for
achieving this
Absolutely - surely LIS-LINK is a forum for discussing issues related to our
Profession, and the issue of Inclusion is a Professional issue.
On the points in your other e-mail, Sarah: I guess my discomfort with the
"Inclusive" question is almost a philosophical and political one - my point
being that emphasis on any group's status as a "Minority" merely serves to
strengthen the myth that there is some homogenous "Majority" out there...
Perhaps the increasing number of "minority voices" is less to do with
actually differences, and more to do with our ambivalent (and Post-Modern)
need to belong to a "tribe" whilst also emphasising our "idividuality"?
That said, your e-mail reminds me that the reason for forming the Diversity
Council is to work to ensure our Professional services are fully inclusive
*in practice* - and that I *do* support.
>In my opinion, the whole point of "Strength through Diversity" is holding a
>balance between acknowledging and celebrating our differences, and our
>commonalities.
So long as that balance is kept, I agree.
Regards
David
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