Abstract:
Marginalized communities have a vested interest in the creation, preservation and curation of collections that document their history. Community archives emerge from awareness that limited or biased documentation impedes political activism. When core documentation is defined and collected by a community it can shape and promote a shared identity that counterbalances a marginalized social status. A commitment to developing and managing collections expands a community or organizational mission beyond social justice to one of service and scholarship. Rather than taking this step, many groups choose to establish collaborative relationships with outside entities to process and digitize collections, or arrange for the transfer of their documentation to an established archival repository. This session will explore the challenges and opportunities associated with the administration of community archives.
Description:
Sponsored by Dawson’s Book Shop; Speakers: Angela Brinskele, June L. Mazer Lesbian Archives, Lisa Cruces, University of Houston; Sharon Farb, University of California, Los Angeles/Mazer Archives Project; Caitlin Oiye, DENSHO Project on Japanese Internment; Moderator: Elizabeth Joffrion, Western Washington University
