I wanted to reach out as an individual in support of librarians of color in this group and in solidarity with protesters against systems of white supremacy and oppression. That said, words and statements are not enough.
As data librarians, we have a responsibility to advocate for transparent data, and I encourage all of you to work for more equitable, transparent, and anti-racist uses of data and information both in our profession and in your communities.
I encourage you to find and support organizations supporting racial equity in your community, as well as supporting Black-owned businesses. I also am including statements from the African American Medical Librarians Alliance (AAMLA) Caucus and Latinx Caucus in the hopes of amplifying these voices.
Black lives matter.
Fred Willie Zametkin LaPolla, Chair
