Marvin J. Ashton said “If we could look into each other’s hearts and understand the unique challenges each of us faces, I think we would treat each other more gently, with more love, patience, tolerance, and care.” This quote embodies The Human Library Organization, a library filled with human books, where human readers have the opportunity to learn about a book that is unlike any they have read before. I had the honor to interview Ronni Abergel, founder and CEO of the Human Library.
“To understand others you need to get behind their eyes and walk down their spines.” Rod McKuon
When Ronni was a child, living in the USA he attended a school in Connecticut. At lunchtime he observed how students were divided into similar groups, sitting with people just like them. As he reflected upon this it made him realize the students were not getting the chance to interact and understand people different from them. This lingered with him until 22 years ago along with a few others, The Human Library held the first human book event over four days in Copenhagen. They offered over 50 titles of human books which defied stereotypes that human readers could check out, creating non-judgmental safe space’s to learn. The human book provided human readers the opportunity to ask questions about difficult issues, challenge stereotypes and perhaps unjudge someone. Over 1000 readers participated in this first event, showing the great need in the world for more Human Library experiences.
“Never judge someone for the way they look or a book by the way it’s covered. Inside of those pages there is a lot to be discovered.” Steve Cosgroves
This mainly volunteer organization has individuals who represent stigmatized groups as human books. The books are willing to be vulnerable and open to any questions a human reader might ask, sharing sacred information to shed light on the facts a reader might think they have to learn something new. A human book is motivated to increase understanding by sharing their lived experiences, stigma, and stereotypes. The human reader controls the conversation by the questions they ask. Human Libraries function like all libraries. You check out a book for free for 30 minutes from the Human Library librarian and then return the book on time in its original condition. Everything is free because libraries have always provided access to learning to all people at no cost. Volunteers go through training prior to becoming book’s and librarian’s.
“When we build a culture of understanding, and uphold human dignity, we build a better world.” Ban Ki Moon
The Human Library Organization is a global library. There are permanent human libraries and book depots located globally. Sometimes there are special Human Library events. When the pandemic shut down the world within three months the Human Library transitioned to online book rentals, which have become a permanent part of this organization. A number of corporations work with the Human Library as part of their Diversity and Inclusion training. These training sessions with human books help to increase the number of accidental readers who will read a book they might not have sought out. Ronni shared that by increasing understanding, tolerance, and acceptance is “win-win-win.” As human readers understand human books who are different from them, they also learn about our human similarities. People become less stigmatized and as people we become less separated, making us healthier, happier, and the world a more compassionate place. Win-win-win.
“We don’t want to be the same. We do want to understand each other.” Unknown
The Human Library continues to expand with ideas to provide impactful necessary learning. They have established a Children’s Library where a small group of children readers can learn from children’s books such as “The Girl Who Looks Like a Ninja.” The Human Library provides safe space for readers to discover the stories of books by directing the questions asked while talking with these human books. This 30 minutes of reading is dismantling fear, creating understanding and acceptance in a world where more understanding and acceptance is desperately needed. We all have the universal right to be understood. We all have the universal right to be accepted. Thirty minutes of reading provides an intimate learning space to discover how humans have less differences and more in common by helping people un-judge others one book at a time.
“Books are mirrors of the soul.” Virginia Woolf
It is with great honor and admiration we shine the Kindness Champion spotlight on the exceptional Human Library Organization, where stigma and stereotypes are challenged and changed through conversation and dialogue. This human library creates a win-win-win where we can be more connected, more compassionate, making the world a kinder place. Human books sow seeds of compassion, understanding, and acceptance during every reading. Human Library Organization we thank you for being you and bringing your awesome to the world.
For more information on the incredible Human Library Organization here is their information:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thehumanlibrary
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humanlibraryorganization/
