Initiative für die Umbenennung der Melvil Dewey Medal

Die Feminist Task Force der American Library Association (ALA) wird am Samstag, den 22. Juni, eine Resolution zur Umbenennung der Melvil Dewey Medal einbringen. Begründet wird sie unter anderem damit, dass Dewey Kolleginnen sexuell belästigte, antisemitisch und minderheitenfeindlich agierte, was den Grundwerten der ALA wie Vielfalt und Gleichberechtigung widerspricht. Hier ist der offizielle Text der Resolution:

Whereas the American Library Association awards the Melvil Dewey Medal to recognize librarians for achievement for recent creative leadership of high order;

Whereas Melvil Dewey did not permit Jewish people, African Americans, or other minorities admittance to the resort owned by Dewey and his wife;

Whereas he was censured by the New York State Board of Regents for his refusal to admit Jews to his resort, whereupon he resigned as New York State Librarian;

Whereas Dewey made numerous inappropriate physical advances toward women he worked with and wielded professional power over;

Whereas during the 1906 ALA conference there was a movement to censure Dewey after four women came forward to accuse him of sexual impropriety, and he was ostracized from the organization for decades;

Whereas the behavior demonstrated for decades by Dewey does not represent the stated fundamental values of ALA in equity, diversity, and inclusion; now therefore be it

Resolved, that the American Library Association (ALA), on behalf of its members, rename the Melvil Dewey Medal to remove Melvil Dewey's association with the award.

Wenn ich das so lese, bedauere ich etwas, meinen Kater Melvil genannt zu haben...