Multiculturalism and Diversity's Relationship with Intellectual Freedom
ALA's Library Bill of Rights
-Are forums for information and ideas
-Provide all types of information
-Do not exclude materials because of origin, background, or views
-Present all points of view
-Challenge censorship
-Protect people's rights to use libraries
The Library Bill of Rights established by the ALA is aimed at keeping libraries as open repositories of information. Dr. Lester Asheim an early proponent of intellectual freedom put forth his ideals on how to protect intellectual freedom. "His differentiation between the negative approach of censorship, which inclines toward protecting the reader from the fancied effects of his reading, and the positive approach of selection, with its faith in the intelligence of the reader and the democratic process." (stevenson) But to properly implement Asheim's principle one must have a sufficiently diverse base of information to choose from. True intellectual freedom is access to the conversation of the world, both the ability to hear and speak in the language of humanity.
Media Diversity
June 2003, The American Library Association passed a resolution deploring the FCC's
actions changing media ownership rules that encouraged further concentration of the media. The resolution also called on the Intellectual Freedom Committee (IFC) to examine the impact of media mergers on intellectual freedom, access to information, and diversity of opinion in local communities. (Intellectual Freedom Committee Subcommittee)
http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/ifgroups/ifcommittee/intellectual.cfm
Multiculturalism vs. Western Canon
Prior to WWI universities required students to study ancient Greek and Latin works mainly as an excercise in grammer. While courses, in particular in the literary arts, focused on other cultures were quite common. As the growing movment to join the war gained momentum universities were pressured by the Wilson administration to adopt required Euro-centric "great book" courses. The classes focused on works from the Greeks and Romans, but also now on pieces from much later European writers. Much of the new material was either a catalyst of, a product, or directly attached philosophically to the French Revolution. These new courses while extolling the virtues of the French Revolution created a moral and intellectual foundation for the U.S. to enter the war and defend those ideals. The Western Canon was more focused than the previously diverse "culture" courses. The Canon turns out to be more a manufactured collection than the comprehensive archive of the greatest geniuses, that conservative critics like Harold Bloom celebrate. The Western Canon
The recent debate between these conservative critics and the proponents of a more multicultural curriculum has raged on. "The current emphasis on multicultural social and cultural history which so troubles contemporary critics is no more permanent than were past emphases on political, intellectual, economic, or diplomatic history. It reflects, as earlier historiographies have reflected, and questions, problems, issues that touch our time and help us make sense of the world. It also reflects the fact that history today is written, as it has always been written, by human beings who are part of their own societies and cultures." (Levine, 26)
Discussion Questions:
1. In what ways would it violate the ALA's Bill of Rights if a library did not strive to promote multiculturalism?
2. What are some of the advantages/disadvantages to having more required "multicultural" coures?
3. What is the impact of mass-media mergers to the diversity of culture?
Sources:
Levine, Lawrence W. The Opening of the American Mind: Canons, Culture, and History. Boston; Beacon Press. 1996.
Fostering Media Diversity in Libraries: Strategies and Actions. Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom v. 56 no. 5 (September 2007) p. 177, 218-26
Wieman, J., et. al., Culture, Conflict and Challenges. Alki v. 1 no. 1 (March 1985) p. 11-14
Holtze, T. L., et. al., Intellectual freedom: 2000 and beyond. Reference Services Review v. 28 no. 1 (2000) p. 55-64
Hughes, R. Free libraries, free society [keynote address at the 2002 ALA Conference]. American Libraries v. 33 no. 7 (August 2002) p. 48-51
Yahoo! settles with Chinese journalists. Newsletter on Intellectual Freedom v. 57 no. 1 (January 2008) p. 6
18 comments:
1. In what ways would it violate the ALA's Bill of Rights if a library did not strive to promote multiculturalism? The exclusion of ideas based on their origin violates the ALA Bill of Rights.
2. What are some of the advantages/disadvantages to having more required "multicultural" courses? It is always beneficial to learn other languages and cultures.
3. What is the impact of mass-media mergers to the diversity of culture? It has definitely lead to a homogenization of ideas and limits the introduction of new discourse.
Not promoting multiculturalism in a collection violate every aspect of the ALA's Library Bill of Rights. It closes the door on information and only allows specific points of view inside.
The advantage to offering more multicultural courses is it enables the population to learn about diversity. The disadvantage is that if more of these courses are opened, students are unable to take other critical courses necessary to complete their degrees. Kirsti Nilsen brings up this point in her article " LIS Education for Multiculturalism and Diversity." She asks if multiculturalism should be taught "...across the curriculum" (p. 1) or if colleges should offer courses specific to multiculturalism. I am leaning towards teaching it across the curriculum, much as my community college as well as my 4-year college participated in writing across the curriculum, whereby instructors from each class, whether an English class, a business class, or even a math class, expected students to submit at least one written paper. I believe that many classes lend themselves very easily to the multicultural approach anyway, when the root of the subject is analyzed.
Mass media mergers will, as Sylvia put it above, homogenize the news. Even though our three major stations are not merged (at least I don't think they are), they are very much alike. Each one reports the same news stories, so it does not really matter which station we watch--we are getting basically the same thing.
2. What are some of the advantages/disadvantages to having more required "multicultural" courses?
I'm not certain that I honestly see any "disadvantages" with regards to multicultural courses. I think multiculturalism should be taught with the same type of idea as we would teach a math or science class to students. Regardless of your field or background, we all have to interact within a multicultural society and understanding this and the people that make it up can only be benefitial to all parties.
1. In what ways would it violate the ALA's Bill of Rights if a library did not strive to promote multiculturalism?
Libraries that don't include multicultural items in their collections certainly limit the availability of information and ideas. Depending on why diversity is left out, they could be excluding materials because of origin, background of views. They might also make the library a less comfortable and welcoming place for patrons who come from diverse backgrounds, so while they may not actually infringe on anyone's right to use the library, they may decrease the likelihood that some patrons will do so.
2. What are some of the advantages/disadvantages to having more required "multicultural" coures?
According to the Nilsen article we read last week ("LIS Education for Multiculturalism and Diversity"), including diversity issues only as part of specific courses decreases the likelihood that students will see these issues as ones that should be addressed in all aspects of librarianship throughout their careers. A better approach may be to integrate diversity issues into more of the courses that are already offered.
3. What is the impact of mass-media mergers to the diversity of culture?
Media mergers contribute to the homogenization of culture simply by reducing the number of outlets available for cultural expression.
I have spent the last 5 days participating in a conference on compassion with the Dalai Lama in Seattle. The question regarding the media pushed a button with me that has been spoken of over and over again by his holiness, as well as the participants in this conference. We are a world of nations, filled with compassionate with kindness and love in their hearts. Our media conglomerates choses to speak to us of war, deception and the horrors and atrocities that can be cause by human choice. When media outlets merge, this problem just increases.
In response to the other questions. I think it is ridiculous to continue to question whether or not open minded inclusion of others cultures in our collections, courses and attitudes toward policy. It is a necessity. It is necessary. It is the only way to operate and maintain a society that does not collapse on itself from oppression of information.
2. What are some of the advantages/disadvantages to having more required "multicultural" coures?
I can not see how any non-biased multicultural education would come with any disadvantages - only advantages. Learning about other cultures, even if you never have any direct contact with them, will help to be more aware and sensitive to issues in the world. As long as the teachers of these required courses did not favor any "side", then the students of any age would benefit.
A great site is the Multicultural Education Internet Resource Guide. Educators can find lessons, common misconceptions, anti-hate resources and much, much more. http://www2.nau.edu/~jar/Multi.html
In what ways would it violate the ALA's Bill of Rights if a library did not strive to promote multiculturalism?
Everyone is allowed to have a view on different things. This would violate the bill of rights.
What are some of the advantages/disadvantages to having more required "multicultural" coures?
There is only advantages, it is always important to learn about different cultures.
What is the impact of mass-media mergers to the diversity of culture?
We are definetly learning more each day about what is going on all over the world.
2) Analytical thinking requires one to understand various points of view on an issue, and from there to formulate one's own conclusions. Having more multi-cultural courses would assist students in developing their analytical thinking skills. Such courses would focus on issues a student may not normally think about, and allow them to see life from another perspective. Additionally multicultural courses acknowledge and validate cultures which may be misunderstood, sidelined, and stereotyped by the dominant culture. As for disadvantages, students would be allowed less elective classes in their course of study, and may resent being forced to take a course they're not interested in.
There are some advantages and disadvantages to having more multicultural classes required. One advantage is that it ensures that everyone is exposed to different cultures and by requiring more classes it also makes it possible to cover a broader range of cultures. However, as Mary said, by requiring more multicultural classes we are limiting the amount of courses that students can take covering degree specific material. I think that it is much more beneficial to include some multicultural studies into each course. This will allows students to focus on degree coursework and see how multiculturalism plays a role in the various aspects of their chosen profession.
What are some of the advantages/disadvantages to having more required "multicultural" coures?
I see no disadvantages to multicultural courses. In fact if an inclusive, multicultural approach is not being utilized within an LIS curriculum—preferably woven throughout courses, as appropriate, I would look elsewhere for a MLIS degree program. To not include a multicultural approach these days is akin to teaching history by only focusing on “Great (white) men, great deeds.” Not only is this insufficient, it is misleading and harmful and provides only one lens through which to see the world. Fortunately, a more inclusive approach appears to be being embraced by MLIS programs. Welcome to the 21st century.
What is the impact of mass-media mergers to the diversity of culture?
In a time of media merging with a few voices dominating the news it is all the more important that librarians seek out alternative media sources, including blogs. There are myriad voices out there on the WWW. Librarians can add real value by organizing these resources and letting patrons know where and how to find them.
What are some of the advantages/disadvantages to having more required "multicultural" courses? It is good to learn more about other languages, cultures and religions. But I resent a one sided view from a prof. that teach these subjects. I found that the prof, I have had really didn't know what they were talking about. I prefer searching on my own and traveling, having exchange students in and talking to directly with the group of people I want to know about.
I am not sure what the impact of mass media mergers is to the diversity of cultures. I would guess that it is has not helped, mostly I’m thinking of television and newspapers. I feel like I see more books published with authors from diverse backgrounds but I haven’t seen any data to back that up. I see the most multicultural and diverse programming on television on a cable channel that shows programming funded by the Annenberg Foundation http://www.learner.org/channel/
channel.html , public television and local cable programming. I support ALA’s attempt to support local sources of media: “Special attention has been given to the acquisition of and access to small, independent, and alternative sources—including locally produced ones—in all formats: print, AV media, and electronic.” http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/
ifissues/mediaconcentration.cfm Media companies exist to make money and if enough viewers demand diversity in programming it will be provided. Also, if those are the types of books that are being purchased then publishers will find authors who are creating those books. It is unfortunate and not good for society if small presses are being bought out and slowly fade away or if local newspapers fold. People like Oprah and all of her ventures help.
In what ways would it violate the ALA's Bill of Rights if a library did not strive to promote multiculturalism?
If a library did not strive to promote multiculturalism, it would violate all of ALA’s Bill of Rights. ALA’s Bill of Rights emphasis the importance of creating and maintaining a library that welcomes all people from the community regardless of origin or background. The Bill of Rights also says that libraries should make a point to create a collection that represents all points of view. By not providing the community with a diverse collection a library would be, once again, violating the ALA’s Bill of Rights. In order to feel welcomed in a library a person must see themselves represented in its collection.
1. As stated in the blog it is the duty of a library to “Provide all types of information,” “not exclude materials because of origin, background, or views,” and “Present all points of view.” In order to accomplish these tasks it is necessary to incorporate multiculturalism into the collection and into the library’s programming.
1. In what ways would it violate the ALA's Bill of Rights if a library did not strive to promote multiculturalism?
The ALA promotes the issue of diversity. Information needs to be available for everyone without prejudice and it would violate the ALA Bill of Rights.
2. What are some of the advantages/disadvantages to having more required "multicultural" courses?
Learning about all the different cultures is great for everyone. I think if this was installed that as long as every culture was represented it would be very beneficial however, if certain ones were left out it would cause problems.
3. What is the impact of mass-media mergers to the diversity of culture?
Having many different sources for the patrons to use would be the best. Also having them organized in a way where it is easy to find would also be very beneficial. Patrons all look to different sources, have different opinions, and think differently so as a librarian you need to make sure that everyone is represented.
It would violate the ALA Bill of Rights to not include multicultural materials because it simply would fail to represent all points of view. Granted, the word "ALL" is a stretch and an ideal, but if a library presents only points of view that are already known and accepted in the community, learning can no longer take place in that library, and it is failing to meet a community need.
The description of the Western-centric "Great Books" courses reminded me of my undergrad. My education was meant to include several of these, but unbeknownst to many students, there were alternative courses available. I shunned the Greeks for the Persians halfway through my Great Books requirement, and found a much better course and more dedicated students in the "multicultural" alternative. Great Books courses seem almost void of culture; they are made to feel generic. I think that excellent alternative courses, like the ones I took, should be heavily promoted so that a wide volume of students take interest in world cultures and study them. The "Great Books" coures propagate a sort of myth that the only ancient people who did anything are the Greeks and Romans, while meanwhile there were the Persians, East Asians, Mayans, and my list could go on and on. The advantage to having multicultural courses is that students learn to respect and appreciate the achievements of every people on earth.
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