PLO: 3 Analyze and engage in the changing cultural, educational and social roles and responsibilities of librarians/information professionals and the environments they work in within the global society.
SAA Core Value(s):
- Respect the diversity found in humanity and advocate for archival collections to reflect that rich complexity.
- Develop and follow professional standards that promote transparency and mitigate harm.
This assignment is a proposal to the Society of American Archivists to advocate against recent acts of censorship and revisionism reportedly taking place at the National Archives Museum under U.S. Archivist Colleen Shogan. According to numerous accounts, these actions are allegedly reshaping exhibits to avoid controversial aspects of American history, diluting content on Native American treatment, the history of birth control, and Japanese American internment, among others. Not only are these changes contrary to the archival profession’s ethical commitment to truth, transparency, and diversity, but they also undermine the public’s right to access unfiltered history, an issue that squarely aligns with SAA’s stated priorities. I propose that SAA issue a public statement and develop guidelines aimed at resisting archival censorship and advocating for cultural humility in archival description. We must prioritize solutions such as collaborative metadata initiatives and community-centered archives to protect the integrity of historical records and ensure inclusivity. SAA’s strong stance would demonstrate its dedication to upholding a full and truthful archival record, reinforcing its mission to empower archivists and champion transparency and diversity within our profession.This proposal aligns with SAA’s mission to empower archivists to innovate and foster inclusivity within the archival field, as well as its commitment to advancing the public standing of archivists as advocates for social justice and transparency.
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