At the Human Library, you can borrow books, just like at any other library. However, the difference is that these “books” are living people with personal stories and experiences from their own lives. Every book is drawn from a group in society who are marginalized or targeted with (or vulnerable to) prejudice and discrimination because of aspects of their identity, including lifestyle, occupation, social status, religious belief, sexuality, ethnic origin, and more.
We invite you to a safe space for dialogue, where challenging and taboo subjects can be respectfully discussed in the open without judgment. A place where people who otherwise would never meet nor talk can find room for conversation. A place where the reader can sit down with a complete stranger who has volunteered to answer questions about being homeless, a refugee, bisexual, Muslim, disabled, HIV+, or even an artist. A place where the reader can ask honest, respectful questions and get honest, respectful answers from people just trying to live their lives.
Everyone has prejudices, and the Human Library offers readers (and books) an opportunity to question those prejudices and judgments through open and vulnerable dialogue. Meet your prejudice. Unjudge someone.
The Human Library takes place at the Resource Center for Nonviolence, 612 Ocean St., on Saturday October 25th from 1 to 4 pm. There you will have the opportunity to sit with and “read” up to 3 “books” for 30 minutes each. Activities for identity and intersectionality exploration will be available between appointments. Registration is recommended and walk-ins are welcome.
This event is presented through a collaboration between the Resource Center for Nonviolence, Santa Cruz County United for Safe and Inclusive Communities, the Santa Cruz Public Libraries, and the Human Library Organization.
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