The Latinx Caucus of MLA unequivocally condemns the actions of George Floyd’s tragic death and killing by the Minneapolis Police Department as well as previous Black and African American victims of police brutality and state-sanctioned violence.
We advocate for swift and proper justice against the four officers responsible for the death of George Floyd without regard for his life or human dignity as he took his last breath. They must be arrested, prosecuted, and convicted to the highest degree.
We recognize that we live in a society that is marred by white supremacy, systems of oppression, and institutionalized forms of racism that historically have discriminated against Blacks and African Americans. We also recognize that a similar plight has been faced by Afro-Latinx in our own community.
We support our Black, African American, Afro-Latinx library colleagues and the African American Medical Librarians Alliance (AAMLA) Caucus in the effort to address racism, inequality, and inequity in our profession and stand up with them in recognition of their daily trauma for this and other injustices.
We pledge that, as an affinity caucus, we will continue to address the injustices facing communities of color in our profession and the users we support.
We believe that it is important to use our varied forms of privilege respectfully and mindfully when uplifting and supporting Black Lives Matter and join in solidarity with other MLA caucuses.
As members of the Latinx Caucus, we will:
- Listen and validate Black, African American, and Afro-Latinx library colleagues’ experiences
- Read the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) literature, including Diversity and Inclusion in Libraries, in order to learn, self-reflect, and take action
- Hold constructive dialogue with white library colleagues to encourage support and better understand the significance of these events
- Take action through DEI programming, partnerships, and advocacy
- Use our voices to be a part of the conversation for change
¡Estamos unidos!
MLA Latinx Caucus
Aidy Weeks, AHIP, Chair, 2020–2021
Bredny Rodriguez, Incoming Chair, 2020–2021; Past Co-Convener, 2017–2018
Brenda M. Linares, AHIP, Founding Co-Convener, Latino Special Interest Group (SIG), 2014–2015
Diana Almader–Douglas, AHIP, Founding Co-Convener, Latino SIG, 2014–2015
Karen Gutzman, Past Co-Convener, Latino SIG, 2018–2019
Annabelle Nuñez, Past Co-Convener, Latino SIG, 2016–2017
Ruby Nugent, Chair, Programming Task Force, Latinx Caucus, 2020–2021
Adela V. Justice, AHIP, Member, Latinx Caucus, and Chair, Community Council, 2020–2023
