Teaching with Color: Calling in White Faculty to Address Whiteness in the LIS Curriculum

Abstract

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) issues underlie the systemic problems affecting our society, including the critical lack of inclusion within the field of librarianship. All LIS faculty must prepare students to work with diverse populations of both patrons and colleagues and should aim to strengthen students' cultural competence by incorporating DEIJ issues and concepts into the curriculum. However, in a field that is overwhelmingly white, there are sure to be missteps as white faculty develop their own cultural competency through research, teaching, and interpersonal interaction. In this poster, we argue for increased transparency amongst white LIS faculty who seek to incorporate DEIJ concepts into their courses. We additionally encourage faculty to prioritize student involvement and feedback while integrating DEIJ-related theory and topics into the LIS curriculum. Finally, we argue that open discussion between white faculty and students of color is necessary for the field's ongoing progress towards equity.