Thread by @karlajstrand

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

Josey's persistance, boldness, resilience are qualities we can draw from as well. He was focused and didn't back down. He forced ALA to deal w their inequalities. #BCALAKeepOnPushing

Josey had many collaborators, such as Eric Moon (sp?), ed of Library Journal. Many other librarians helped to form BCALA. #BCALAKeepOnPushing

This presentation is based on the research and book by Dr. Renate Chancellor @rchancell. Moderated by Dr. Tony Dunbar @MstrNclusionist. Chancellor traveled to his hometown, did many interviews with family, friends, church members, did archival research. #BCALAKeepOnPushing

Josey: librarianship and social justice (equity, human rights, women's rights, esp) should go hand in hand. People should be treated kindly and fairly. Need to be opportunities for POC to rise to leadership, including in ALA. #BCALAKeepOnPushing

Josey's ideals can help us get through this moment in time in the US and in librarianship. Follow his lead. Be the transformative person in the profession. The moment is now. And cue Curtis Mayfield... Keep on Pushing. #BCALAKeepOnPushing

Thank you @rchancell @MstrNclusionist and @BC_ALA for this fantastic and informative presentation about EJ Josey! Happy 50th BCALA! Now go get this book... amazon.com/dp/B084CVKQJJ/…