Interestingly enough as we begin this new year with many goals, objectives, and dreams (I don’t call them resolutions), many individuals strive for healthier living including eating, moving their bodies, and positive relationships with loving benefits and outcomes. This first quarter of the year finds me desiring change in several areas, but this writing focuses on changing my appetite first. Like most, my commitment to eating better starts with what I consume. Yes, I want to eat healthier; foods that give my body energy, but first, I detox. In order for my appetite to change, I must first clean out all the ‘old junk’ that may be blocking the vital blood flow so my major internal organs function properly so that I have the essential nutrients for life. Detoxing not only cleans out but it lessens the cravings for those unnatural and unhealthy foods typically eaten; detoxing corrects the mind, too.
As I embark upon my healthier lifestyle eating journey, my eating adjusts to the items I consume for intellectual growth. As a former public school student many, many, many years ago (smile), there were no library visits for me unless my classroom teacher brought the class to the school library to check out books or conduct research for an assignment. When we did go, I did not see anyone like me; honestly, throughout my schooling I did not experience a African American professional librarian until I was an adult, and after twelve years as a teacher educator it never occurred to me to transition into the role of a librarian because I’d never seen one. Even as a Masters of Library Information Science student, there were only one or two other African American students in my program. The friendly email from my school librarian as a high school English teacher began the detoxing of my mind to the possibilities of a career in librarianship. The follow up informational meeting broadened my horizons and gave me an appetizer for the possibilities.
Recently, my husband and I were talking about the difference in our public school experiences; his high school librarian, an African American woman, whom he is seen in his senior yearbook pictured with and I on the other hand had not known of an African American in the profession. My appetite was not developed for this possible career revision because I didn't even know it was a possibility until I was introduced to it. Later as I took classes and learned about the world of librarianship, I developed a hunger to know more and more, eating all the information fed to me about S.R. Five Laws of Library Science. The structured learning of college coursework proved to enlighten my thoughts and shift my mind about the work of librarians and the role of librarians. Working day after day and year after year in school libraries allowed me to grow as a professional providing students reading resources and lessons, but there was still a meal not served.
Support–where was it? Support for professionals that looked like me? Toward the end of the college coursework, Yvonne, a seasoned, African American woman was employed as the summer school librarian in a local independent school district, and she became my good friend and mentor. Yvonne introduced me to the world of librarianship as an African American librarian, and helped me actively engage in other areas like the Black Caucus of the Texas Library Association. As a member of the Texas Library Association, my belly was full to learn there was a group dedicated to librarians like myself whose challenges and experiences may vary in the scope of traditional librarianship. Years before the pandemic, I was able to attend a Black Caucus Luncheon during TLA’s annual conference; it was refreshing to sit in a room filled with African American librarians enjoying brunch and listening to authors and other speakers sharing their plights and making connections to our own journeys. Unfortunately, rising membership dues based on your annual salary grew and my membership was not as consistent as I wish it could have been; another bit of knowledge gained from my mentor was that some schools and systems paid for the professional dues and conference registration of its librarian. Therefore, my active membership was always current as long as my school’s budget supported my professional learning.
Senate Bill 17 signed into law by the current Texas governor takes away public higher education institutions' promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Higher education institutions with these types of offices are no more beginning in January 2024. This bold action saddens me because this is not the sentiment of many Americans labeled by their country as “minority”. It appears Texas lawmakers’ appetite differs from the hungry needs of its constituents. Similar to me not locating my professional group without the aid of my mentor, many students of higher learning may struggle to find their learning tribe and the opportunities and knowledge networking with those individuals provides. Consequently, this new law may starve young adults of nuggets of knowledge. How may these public institutions still provide students with the information and human connections necessary for achievement and progress?
Everything we consume either helps us or acts as a detriment to our livelihood; that’s why the beginning of a new year is an outstanding reminder to eat right. What we ingest in our bodies is extremely important but what we may sometimes forget is to feed our minds. Movies, video games, social media and other forms of entertainment are great for down time and may even relieve stress; we need them as appetizers and desserts. However, when our main source of information is only entertainment without nutritional meals we are starving our capacity to elevate ourselves and others. Our minds, like our bodies, need the latest and greatest vitamins and minerals. Intake of these nutritious elements helps us learn and grow properly. Find your tribe so you can feed your mind all the important facts you need for a successful year. As you monitor your development and you find yourself eating more entertaining desserts, then your reflection of this habit may help you get back to your main course of knowledge.
Lighting the way,
Fiya Librarian
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