Imagine walking into a library and borrowing a book, only the book is a living person with a personal story to share. That’s the experience at the Human Library, coming to the Resource Center for Nonviolence in Santa Cruz on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 1 to 4 p.m.
Participants can engage in conversation with living “books” — people who have been discriminated against in their daily lives because of their identity, lifestyle, occupation, social status, religious belief, sexuality or ethnic origin.
Organizers of the event, put on by Santa Cruz Public Libraries, say it provides a space for residents to explore their own prejudices in a non-judgmental way. “Everyone has prejudices, but not everyone has the opportunity to find out whether what they believe about other people is true within a safe space,” the library system said in a media release.
The Human Library offers one or more 30-minute readings with up to three different “human books.” Interactive activities exploring identity and intersectionality are available between sections. The final reading starts at 3:30 p.m. Registration is recommended, though walk-ins are also welcome.
The event is part of United Against Hate Week from Oct. 19-25, encouraging community dialogue and understanding to counter bias and prejudice. Along with the library system, the event is a collaboration among several local organizers, including Santa Cruz County United for Safe and Inclusive Communities.
Have news that should be in Lookout Briefs? Send your news releases, including contact information, to news@lookoutlocal.com.
MORE LOCAL COVERAGE
Cecilia Schutz is a fourth-year anthropology and Spanish studies student at UC Santa Cruz. Originally from Portland, Oregon, she developed an interest in local news and community engagement over the course…
More by Cecilia Schutz