Category Archives: Social Justice

JEDAI Committee seeks additional members

The Society of Ohio Archivists Justice, Equity, Diversity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (JEDAI) Committee seeks additional committee members!
The SOA Social Justice and Black Lives Matter Task Force transitioned into the JEDAI Committee in 2023. This committee’s current goal is to evaluate the internal processes of SOA and generate plans for improvement related to the topics of justice, equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion. The JEDAI Committee meets virtually every month. The total time commitment is estimated to be 1-1.5 hours per month. Committee member terms are 2 years with an option to renew. Any member of SOA is welcome to serve!
Please contact JEDAI Cochair, Nicole Sutton, at [email protected] to volunteer or with questions.
Sincerely,
Devhra BennettJones, University of Cincinnati (2020-)
Madeleine Fix, The Ohio State University (2020- )
Hannah Kemp-Severence, University of Akron (2023- )
Arjun Sabharwal, University of Toledo (2023- )
Penelope Shumaker, State Library of Ohio (2020-, cochair 2023-2024)
Nicole Sutton, Columbus Metropolitan Library (2020-, cochair 2023-2025)

Recording Available for SOA’s Crucial Conversations: Recognizing and Overcoming Racial Injustice & Bias

Crucial Conversations: Recognizing and Overcoming Racial Injustice & BiasThe recording of “Crucial Conversations: Recognizing and Overcoming Racial Injustice & Bias,” the online program presented by the Society of Ohio Archivists Task Force on Social Justice and Black Lives Matter on January 12, 2022, is now available on SOA’s YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/wBJ91Wqdm0Y.

Learn more about the event from its announcement.

For more information about the Task Force on Social Justice and Black Lives Matter, visit its page here.

Register for “Crucial Conversations: Recognizing and Overcoming Racial Injustice & Bias,” January 14, 2022

Crucial Conversations: Recognizing and Overcoming Racial Injustice & BiasBegin Martin Luther King Day weekend with an unforgettable discussion about systemic racism awareness and initiatives to dismantle it.

Recording now available on YouTube.

On Friday, January 14, 2022, at 12:00 noon-1:30pm (eastern), the Society of Ohio Archivists Task Force on Social Justice and Black Lives Matter will host on Zoom the free online discussion, “Crucial Conversations: Recognizing and Overcoming Racial Injustice & Bias,” featuring Eric Deggans, Dave Snyder, and moderated by Jerolyn Barbee.

Register now at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/crucial-conversations-recognizing-and-overcoming-racial-injustice-bias-tickets-216979169537

Eric Deggans

Eric Deggans, panelist at Crucial Conversations

Speaker Eric Deggans is NPR’s first full-time TV critic, appearing on all the network’s shows, including Morning Edition, Here & Now and All Things Considered, writing for NPR.org and appearing on podcasts such as Life Kit, Code Switch and Pop Culture Happy Hour. He is also author of a book dissecting how media outlets use prejudice and stereotypes to build ratings and power; Race-Baiter: How the Media Wields Dangerous Words to Divide a Nation, published in October 2012 by Palgrave Macmillan. Continue reading →

New Resource List from SOA Task Force on Social Justice and Black Lives Matter

The Society of Ohio Archivists Task Force on Social Justice and Black Lives Matter announces a new list of resources.

The Task Force on Social Justice and Black Lives Matter is responsible for identifying, promoting, developing, and educating on antiracist and social justice resources, efforts, and actions for the Society of Ohio Archivists Council, committees, and membership.

The Task Force members contribute online resources about social justice problems in communities, police departments, funding for social justice matters, accountability in the legal system, and resources about diversity and inclusion of underepresented groups. The resources are reviewed and updated by the Task Force every 3-4 months.

For more information about the Task Force on Social Justice and Black Lives Matter, visit its page here.

SOA condemns violence against Asian American and Pacific Island people

April 8, 2021— We stand with AAPI communities as they face rising discrimination, violence, and hate crimes. Just last week, another racist attack was recorded for the world to see, as 65-year-old Vilma Kari was knocked to the ground and beaten, while bystanders did nothing. This happened two weeks after the horrific attack and murder of Soon Chung Park, Hyun Jung Grant, Suncha Kim, Yong Ae Yue, Delaina Ashley Yaun, Paul Andre Michels, Xiaojie Tan, and Daoyou Feng in Georgia, fueled by anti-Asian racism and misogyny. We are angry and we will not be silent bystanders.

The AAPI community is enduring increased acts of hatred and violence largely because of the racist rhetoric that has been so prevalent since the beginning of the pandemic. However, we know that racism towards Asian Americans and Pacific Island people is not new. As archivists, we understand and have a responsibility to not only shed light on these truths, but to also foster safe spaces for discussions about these painful and traumatic histories. We also commit to celebrating AAPI stories of joy, not just those of pain and violence. AAPI people are Americans, they belong, and their stories are part of the fabric that tells our shared past.

We endorse the statement made by the Midwest Archives Conference and encourage other institutions to take a stand as well. Unity cannot be achieved with neutrality or silence.

#StopAsianHate  #StopAAPIHate

Download statement as PDF.

For more information on the Society of Ohio Archivists Social Justice and Black Lives Matter Task Force see its webpage.

Below are a variety of resources for donating, speaking up, and examining how others are already combating racism. Continue reading →

Members Named to SOA Social Justice and Black Lives Matter Task Force

The Society of Ohio Archivists Council is pleased to announce that Jessica Heys (Kettering Foundation), has been appointed Chair of SOA’s new Social Justice and Black Lives Matter Task Force.

Joining Jessica on the Task Force as members are Devhra BennettJones, Madeleine Fix (Nationwide Insurance), Kristen Newby (Ohio History Connection), Penelope Shumaker (State Library of Ohio), and Nicole Sutton (Columbus Metro Library). Sherri Goudy (Nerd Girl History Adventure), SOA President-Elect, will serve as Council Liaison.

The Task Force will be meeting (virtually) for the first time in the near future to discuss its charge and map out a way to recruit non-SOA members.

Contact: To reach out to the Task Force, please contact Chair Jessica Heys or Council Liaison Sherri Goudy. Suggestions or ideas on how to fulfill the Task Force’s mission are welcome.

For more information about the Social Justice and Black Lives Matter Task Force, visit its page here.

Ohio Archivist Fall 2020 Issue Available

Ohio Archivist Fall 2020 Issue coverThe fall 2020 issue of the Ohio Archivist, SOA’s biennial publication, is now available to download as a PDF or view in ISSUU!

In this issue you will find a recap of our first online Annual Meeting, information about the joint fall meeting, the SOA Council Statement on Racial Inequality and Black Lives Matter, a preview of the Archives Month poster, a new Digital Discussions article, and much more!

Contents:
– SOA Council Statement on Racial Inequality and Black Lives Matter
– President’s Message
– SOA News: 2020 Joint Fall Meeting: History is Happening Now!; Archives Month; Annual Meeting Recap; Ohio History Day Awards; Merit Awards and New Professional Scholarship Awards
– “A Closer Look at the Ohio State University Libraries’ Suffrage Scrapbooks: ‘Vote for Woman Suffrage'” by Jolie Braun
– “The Great Disturbance: The First to Leave and the Last to Return” by Christine Engels
– Digital Discussions: DEAI and YOu(r Digital Collections) by Jenni Salamon
– News & Notes

See all past Ohio Archivist issues on that publication’s page.

Call for Task Force Members – Social Justice and Black Lives Matter

To help SOA and SOA Council act upon the principles in SOA’s “Statement on Racial Inequality and Black Lives Matter,” Council has approved the creation of a Task Force on Social Justice and Black Lives Matter.

SOA Council is now seeking volunteers to fill the Task Force and is currently looking for both a chair and general members.

If you would like to join the Task Force—either as a chair or member—please fill out the linked Google Form by October 1.

For more information about the Task Force, Chair position, and membership responsibilities, see the SJBLM Task Force page.

Questions? Contact SOA President Adam Wanter.

SOA Council Statement on Racial Inequality and Black Lives Matter

June 3, 2020—We, at the Society of Ohio Archivists, are profoundly saddened and outraged by the numerous, unjustified deaths of Black men and women in our country.  We grieve the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and countless more who have died because of police brutality fueled by hate. We grieve the brutal lynching of Ahmaud Arbery at the hands of vigilante white men, including a former police officer. We condemn the use of violence, vigilantism, and the weaponization of supremacy, and we denounce police violence against Black people.

As archivists, we know this problem is deeply rooted in the history and founding of our nation. It is also rooted in our institutions, including archives. We are committed to recognizing and breaking down systems of white supremacy within our own archives. For decades, the historical narrative has largely left out the stories of Black people in our country. Part of our work as archivists includes creating a space where we can collaborate and dialogue with those whose stories have been marginalized, ignored, and silenced. Our efforts and missions include learning from the past to prepare for the future. We can only do that if we include all voices. Continue reading →