No diversity for you
The ABA has a Diversity and Inclusion section. There it has a Diversity Statement.
ABA exists to help member bookstores grow and succeed, and we work to do that in a way that is committed to anti white supremacy, antiracism, representation, and equity. We believe that listening to many different perspectives and empowering underrepresented voices deepens our understanding and enriches everyone’s experience. We are committed to equity, dignity, and diversity for all Peoples.
It promises to
– Implement best practices to ensure more diverse hiring and more opportunities for promotion into senior and decision-making positions at all levels of the organization for diverse employees
– Make sure ABA policies and procedures are antiracist, create opportunities for everyone, and demonstrate support for marginalized Peoples
What are diverse employees though? What does “diverse” mean? Something to do with antiracist, but beyond that it’s left unstated.
– Work closely with ABA’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Council of member booksellers to be aware of concerns of a diverse group of booksellers and bookstore owners and to use the council’s insights and feedback to improve ABA’s programs and services and better serve marginalized communities
Diverse and marginalized – but which are they?
– Require representation of BIPOC, queer, disabled, and other marginalized authors and books at all ABA events (at least 40% of speakers/panelists overall)
There we go – finally we know who they are. BIPOC, queer, and disabled.
– Meet as staff throughout the year to discuss topics and educate ourselves on issues related to antiracism, antidiscrimination, microaggressions, and supporting underrepresented Peoples.
Notice anything missing?
Women. On the whole page, there’s not one word about women.
I guess women were shoved into ‘other’. I thought ‘othering’ people was a big no-no in woke spaces?
Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity
DIE, TERF scum!
Women aren’t a People, apparently. Also not disadvantaged, oppressed or marginalized. Congratulations! Women are fully liberated! Just don’t dare use the word “woman.”
I get the sense that this group can’t see the distinction between solidarity and “monolithicization.” It’s like everyone is supposed to be supportive of “diversity” in exactly the same way. I also get the feeling that “trans” issues are given a much higher degree of attention and solicitude than any other segment coverd by their Diversity and Inclusion policy. I wonder if in the past, their book packages included any publications that might have pissed off portions of their membership. If it’s as diverse and varied as they claim to be, I find it hard to believe that they have not: you can’t keep everyone happy all the time. I’ll bet they’ve included books that contained casual racism, sexism, ableism, etc. But did any criticism in the past for any such lapses in judgement result in such spineless, quivering self denunciation? I doubt it.
I know I’ve asked this before, but I still find myself wondering. How is it that trans activism can elicit such mewling, terrified self-abasement? How did this tiny demographic (and it’s likely more numerous supporters) manage to win such fearful submission to its demands? Those apologies sound like something written by frightened people under Stalin or Mao. How would they ever deal with actual totalitarianism if they cave so easily to comparatively powerless, puffed-up twitter activists? They abandon their “free expression” values as soon as they result in criticism, or cost them anything. Their fear? Mean tweets. Not only do they drop these values, but they join the mob they should be standing against. “Here, we’ll burn this book for you, so you won’t burn us along with it!” It’s really quite sad and pathetic.