Thread by @karlajstrand

Excited for this session on Ethics and the #Archives with, among others, Rebecca Hankins @pontiac10. Hankins is discussing the digitization of Texas A&M yearbooks, which contain some racist language, images, etc. @chsconf #ChsConf2019

@pontiac10 @chsconf Next up is Melissa Stoner who is telling a story about some culturally sensitive documents that were digitized by Bancroft Library. Tribal members wrote a letter to take it down and it was. The result was a CA tribal forum; report produced and shared w Chancellor.

There was a working group that formed from this work to take a look at collections across campus and relationships bt campus and #Indigenous communities, ethics of working with Indigenous communities. #ChsConf2019

Harm was done to Indigenous communities. Group decided on some goals: improve campus climate for Indigenous communities, development of takedown policy, improving access, increasing collaboration and ownership for Indigenous communities. Report is available online. #ChsConf2019

Next up: Thai Jones @thai_jones discussing some of the debates surrounding digitization of harmful, racist, etc. historical materials. Example: ladyscience.com/essays/archive…

Questioned how we can present these materials in responsible ways. Another example: tararobertson.ca/2016/oob/ Questions of sharing resources, photos, etc. online as opposed to limited print runs. Did original photo creators/subjects agree to having work online? #ChsConf2019

These are explicit problems of #digitization and of trying to make resources more accessible. How do we create responsible takedown policies? Who can give permission to digitize and make available records and photos of ancestors, etc.? Who decides what is ethical? #ChsConf2019

No longer is it a given that we should digitize everything bc broader access is always best. New technology means new considerations. We can digitize for preservation but do we make them publicly available? Is a takedown notice enough? #ChsConf2019

Hankins: We must exercise sensitivity when answering these questions about what to make publicly available. Be aware of people's feelings but we need to put it out there.
Jones: But tracing ancestry and determining ownership can be really challenging.

Stoner: Many of these documents and photos, etc, were obtained via coercion and manipulation. Respecting cultural sensitivity is imperative. There are some things considered sacred. Digitization can be another form of colonialism. We must respect tribal wishes. #ChsConf2019

For historically marginalized peoples, open access can be scary. Hankins: Is intentional about talking to students about radical groups, civil rights groups, etc. to show multiple perspectives and those fighting against racism in TX as well. People weren't just passive.

Stoner: Work with communities to ensure their concerns and voices are front and center. #ChsConf2019