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Attending @BC_ALA @ALALibrary's event about #librarian and Civil Rights activist EJ Josey. Get here! #BCALAKeepOnPushing @MstrNclusionist @rchancell
ALA founded in 1876 on principles of equity but many challenges re: racism, esp in the South. Josey born in 1924 in VA in a predominantly poor, Black, segregated town. Said bc his mother instilled in him love of arts and reading, he never "felt poor." #BCALAKeepOnPushing
1936 ALA conference in Richmond was pivotal: ALA made intentional outreach to Black librarians. Despite this, they couldn't enter establishments, share meals, etc. ALA decided to boycott cities in which Black librarians couldn't participate. #BCALAKeepOnPushing
1943 Josey joins the army. While in the military, he experienced a lot of racism that solidified Josey's activism. With GI Bill, Josey could attend Howard and got a bachelors, masters in history and LIS. Joined ALA in the early '50s. #BCALAKeepOnPushing
Josey taught history, practiced librarianship. He was very innovative: brought in Langston Hughes and others to the library at Delaware. Then went to Savannah State library. Civil Rights Movement began to pick up at this time. #BCALAKeepOnPushing
In the deep South, Josey experienced more racism and so was very active in NAACP, advised student chapter of NAACP. Not allowed to join GA State Library Assn because he was Black. #BCALAKeepOnPushing
1964 is pivotal in US history, Civil Rights Movement, and in Josey's life. At that year's ALA conference, Josey created/presented a resolution saying that ALA shouldn't be affiliated w state chapters that wouldn't allow Blacks into their ranks. #BCALAKeepOnPushing
The resolution was seconded and "all hell broke loose". There were four state library associations that wouldn't allow Black members at the time: LA, GA, MS, and AL. The resolution eventually passed. #BCALAKeepOnPushing
In the next year, signing of Civil Rights legislation. Despite, racism and discrimination persisted. Librarians weren't being treated fairly. 1968-1970 discussions began about forming a Black librarian caucus. #BCALAKeepOnPushing
1970 Black Caucus of ALA established. Since then: Jim Crow 2.0 as Michelle Alexander calls it. (Note: Read her book!) A rough time with Vietnam, Nixon, etc. Josey became pres of ALA in 1983. His focus was on forging coalitions. #BCALAKeepOnPushing
During his ALA presidency, Josey was interested in collaborating w orgs outside of librarianship. Prison industrial complex increasing, Bus and Clinton presidencies. Then Rodney King and increased policing of Black people throughout the '90s. #BCALAKeepOnPushing
Josey had left Savannah State for SUNY, then Pittsburgh. In 1986, began pursing PhD, wrote prolifically about injustice he saw during this time. #BCALAKeepOnPushing
Josey never fully retired from ALA. 2002, he was recognized with a lifetime honorary membership. He did see the inauguration of Obama in 2009. #BCALAKeepOnPushing
Since 2016, we are in another Jim Crow era. Information can be weaponized. "Jim Crow on steroids." Now there's an increase in outward racism and heightened level of attacks on Black people, "caravans to cages," executive orders, etc. #BCALAKeepOnPushing
Now COVID has brought even more racial inequities to light. We need actors within librarianship about racial injustice. Josey was a transformative leader who kept on pushing and we can see him as a model and example for our activism now. #BCALAKeepOnPushing
