Unjudge Someone

The following blog was written by April Broughton, who is (among other things) the Honors Studies Librarian.  They are also the organizer behind Human Library, which will take place on Laker Day.  Read on for more information and to learn what it is and why it is so important.  Remember, you can earn an Honors point for attending Human Library and reflecting on it afterwards.  Write a journal about the experience and then a reflective essay at the end of the semester and you can quantify the experience as part of the requirements for becoming an Honors Study Scholar.

April Broughton, Human Librarian

Those of you who have met me know that I am a story teller. And a story collector. Stories are how we stretch curiosity into acceptance, how we learn and grow. Conversations are the medium for some of the most startling and beautiful and impactful stories I have experienced. As a teller and collector and lover of stories, the Human Library is a global project I have been deeply involved in for some time, both as volunteer and event organizer. It is an event that facilitates conversations that might not happen naturally, and through that fosters diversity and inclusion and understanding. 

The Human Library brings together a collection of human Book volunteers who are willing to share their story with visitors, Readers, at the event. It sparks conversations that are interesting and fun and deep and really hard, all in equal measure. And it is magnificent.

I could sing out my love of the Human Library fairly endlessly.

Non Binary Lesbian Book, 2019

This semester, on Thursday April 9^th from 12pm- 4pm, the Library here at FLCC will be hosting its fourth Human Library event. In the past, our Book volunteers have been staff, faculty, community members, and students. Book titles have included Depression/Anxiety, Blind, Borderline Personality Disorder, Tattoos, Burned, Drug Use, Transgender, Muslim Peace Advocate, Veteran, Jewish, Asexual, and more. It is so important that these voices are present to engage in candid conversation with the college community so that we can listen and ask and learn. The Human Library asks us to unjudge our community, and provides a safe space to do so.

Borderline Personality Disorder Book, 2019

The Human Library is an event that has always radiated so much of what it means, to me, to be a part of Honors. It is a space to stretch beyond your comfort zone to accommodate curiosity. A place to listen and learn and add to the conversation all while supporting the community around you. It is a space to be unabashedly you and welcome others into that space with you. It’s a hard event, don’t get me wrong. It’s hard to be so honest like that, walls down and engaged. But it is absolutely beautiful to watch the Books all support each other, to watch the Readers learn and laugh and cry right along with the volunteers. It’s the same feeling I have gotten, often, after leading a really involved Honors seminar- exhausted but also really excited and ready for more.  I love it. And I think you will too.

Human Library Bookshelf, 2019

So consider this your invitation to stop by the Human Library on Laker Day, April 9^th. Listen to the stories we will have collected here, and add in your own voice as you question and explore and learn. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at april.broughton@flcc.edu.

I am looking forward to hearing your story.