DEI in Archives
"Archives are never neutral but, rather, exist to reinforce existing colonial hierarchies as inevitable and natural by classifying some individuals as observers and others as observed. We can learn much by looking beyond the colonial vantage point and extending our gaze past the words captured in archival records. The inherent cultural, social, and language differences must be considered when examining interactions between [communities] in archival records." -McCracken (2019)
Support
- Archivists and Archives of ColorThis is an interest group within the Society of American Archivists
- Diverse Sexuality and GenderThis group was founded in 1989 by members of the Society of American Archivists
- SAA Diversity and Inclusion InitiativesThe Society of American Archivists is committed to ensuring the diversity of its membership and leaders, the profession, and the archival record.
Diversity in Special Collections
We commit to immediate and enduring work to elevate the narratives, perspectives, and expertise of the marginalized: those who identify as Black, Indigenous, Latinx, persons of color, immigrants, women, neurodiverse, disabled people, and those from the LGBTQ+ communities.
In doing this work, we acknowledge the following:
- Archives and archivists are not neutral. Archives exist within systems that have traditionally privileged and welcomed narratives of the wealthy and powerful, particularly cisgender, heterosexual white men, and have often perpetuated practices that marginalize, suppress, and harm those with other perspectives and experiences.
- We cannot fully understand the experience of marginalized communities.
- We are not experts in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work. This work, however, is an ongoing departmental priority and deserves our dedication, engagement, and willingness to act and to listen.
- We recognize our institutional and individual privileges as well as our responsibility to collaborate with local and professional communities in addressing DEI issues.