Human Library

Summary

The 'Human Library' event at Fairfield featured over 40 volunteers, each sharing personal stories to foster understanding of diverse identities. Participants could 'check out' a 'book' for a 15-20 minute conversation, exploring experiences like growing up as a military child, navigating religious and sexual identity, and adapting to cultural transitions. The event highlighted the importance of empathy and connection, showcasing the power of shared stories to bridge gaps and build community.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The 'Human Library' is a global movement aimed at sharing personal stories to challenge stereotypes and prejudices.
• 📚 This event at Fairfield is the first of its kind there, featuring over 40 volunteers who are 'human books' ready to share their experiences.
• 🗓 Participants can 'check out' a book by selecting a title from a board, indicating a desire to learn about a particular identity or story.
• 🕒 Each conversation lasts for about 15 to 20 minutes, allowing for a brief but meaningful exchange of perspectives.
• 🏠 The story of 'Rootless' highlights the unique challenges and close-knit relationships within military families, shaped by frequent relocations and farewells.
• 👨‍👦 The absence of a father figure in the narrator's life due to military duties and the resulting close bond with a younger sibling.
• 🏳️‍🌈 'Living Ambiguously' explores the complexities of identity as a gay man raised in a Catholic family, emphasizing the importance of self-acceptance and reconciling different aspects of one's identity.
• 🙏 The struggle of reconciling religious beliefs with personal identity, and the journey of finding a harmonious balance between faith and self.
• 🌍 A story from a girl from Nepal illustrates the sense of fortune and inspiration experienced by immigrants, and their desire to apply new knowledge in their home countries.
• 🤝 The event fosters a sense of community and relatability, showing that personal stories can resonate with others, even when backgrounds differ.
• 🎭 The informal, conversational nature of the 'Human Library' experience, which was more personal and less formal than initially expected by some participants.

Q & A

What is the purpose of the Human Library event at Fairfield?

The purpose of the Human Library event at Fairfield is to provide a platform for volunteers, referred to as 'human books,' to share their personal stories and experiences with students, fostering understanding and empathy.

How many volunteers participated in the Human Library event at Fairfield?

There were a little over 40 volunteers, or 'human books,' who participated in the event at Fairfield.

What is the process for students to engage with the 'human books'?

Students look at a board to see the available 'books' and their titles, choose one they are interested in, and then go to a quiet area of the library to talk with the volunteer for about 15 to 20 minutes.

What is the title of the first volunteer's story and what does it represent?

The title of the first volunteer's story is 'Rootless.' It represents the volunteer's experience growing up as a military kid and the struggles associated with that lifestyle.

Why did the first volunteer decide to share their story?

The first volunteer decided to share their story because they wanted to express the struggles of military kids, which are not commonly known or shown outside the military community.

How did the absence of the volunteer's father during their upbringing affect them?

The absence of the volunteer's father made their upbringing difficult, especially because they attended a school mostly for military kids where the transient nature of military life was a constant challenge.

What was the most challenging aspect of the volunteer's school life?

The most challenging aspect was the frequent farewells due to orders that required families to move, leading to goodbye parties every two weeks and the emotional toll of saying goodbye to friends.

What positive outcome did the first volunteer find from their military upbringing?

The positive outcome was the closeness and bond that developed within their family, particularly with their younger brother, as they faced hardships together.

What is the title of the second volunteer's story and what does it explore?

The title of the second volunteer's story is 'Living Ambiguously.' It explores the volunteer's experience of being born gay and raised Catholic, and the struggle to reconcile these two identities.

How did the second volunteer reconcile their Catholic faith with their sexual orientation?

The second volunteer learned to appreciate and live with both identities by recognizing that they could be part of a religious tradition that shaped their values while also being true to their sexual orientation.

What was the unexpected aspect of the Human Library event for the participants?

The unexpected aspect was the informality of the event, which turned out to be more of a conversation where people shared relatable experiences rather than a formal presentation.

What did the participants learn from the story of the girl from Nepal?

The participants learned about the fortune they have and the inspiration that the girl from Nepal felt to bring back what she learned to her own country.