my name is Ronnie and I’m here to share with you today a little bit about the
with you today a little bit about the
with you today a little bit about the human library I don’t know how many of
human library I don’t know how many of
human library I don’t know how many of you heard of us before we’ve been around
you heard of us before we’ve been around
you heard of us before we’ve been around for a while because 17 years ago me and
for a while because 17 years ago me and
for a while because 17 years ago me and my colleagues from stop the violence in
my colleagues from stop the violence in
my colleagues from stop the violence in Denmark decided we were gonna try and
Denmark decided we were gonna try and
Denmark decided we were gonna try and create a safe space where we could
create a safe space where we could
create a safe space where we could challenge stigma and stereotypes through
challenge stigma and stereotypes through
challenge stigma and stereotypes through dialogue a place where you could walk in
dialogue a place where you could walk in
dialogue a place where you could walk in borrow a human being and talk to them
borrow a human being and talk to them
borrow a human being and talk to them about a very challenging topic ideally
about a very challenging topic ideally
about a very challenging topic ideally we wanted people to talk about issues
we wanted people to talk about issues
we wanted people to talk about issues that they normally would not talk about
that they normally would not talk about
that they normally would not talk about or potentially don’t like to talk about
or potentially don’t like to talk about
or potentially don’t like to talk about but that we need to talk about I came
but that we need to talk about I came
but that we need to talk about I came here today to share with you our idea
here today to share with you our idea
here today to share with you our idea the idea that we could sit together and
the idea that we could sit together and
the idea that we could sit together and talk openly about taboos and stigma that
talk openly about taboos and stigma that
talk openly about taboos and stigma that we could be courageous meet someone a
we could be courageous meet someone a
we could be courageous meet someone a complete stranger and share a moment
complete stranger and share a moment
complete stranger and share a moment with them that’s what we’re trying to do
with them that’s what we’re trying to do
with them that’s what we’re trying to do now we try to publish people you could
now we try to publish people you could
now we try to publish people you could say as open books they volunteer they
say as open books they volunteer they
say as open books they volunteer they come to us they say I have experience
come to us they say I have experience
come to us they say I have experience with being a refugee I have experience
with being a refugee I have experience
with being a refugee I have experience being transgender I have experience
being transgender I have experience
being transgender I have experience being Jewish Muslim bipolar
being Jewish Muslim bipolar
being Jewish Muslim bipolar pansexual living with an eating disorder
pansexual living with an eating disorder
pansexual living with an eating disorder all of these are issues that could be
all of these are issues that could be
all of these are issues that could be difficult and challenging to talk about
difficult and challenging to talk about
difficult and challenging to talk about in many societies and so we put them on
in many societies and so we put them on
in many societies and so we put them on a bookshelf and host an event similar to
a bookshelf and host an event similar to
a bookshelf and host an event similar to the Ted where we get to inspire and
the Ted where we get to inspire and
the Ted where we get to inspire and learn from each other and it’s a safe
learn from each other and it’s a safe
learn from each other and it’s a safe space to ask questions the human library
space to ask questions the human library
space to ask questions the human library really is a place where personal stories
really is a place where personal stories
really is a place where personal stories and experiences come together and
and experiences come together and
and experiences come together and you become a reader just like a real
you become a reader just like a real
you become a reader just like a real library you go you take the book you
library you go you take the book you
library you go you take the book you want and basically we have a lot of
want and basically we have a lot of
want and basically we have a lot of great books we call them bestsellers but
great books we call them bestsellers but
great books we call them bestsellers but on our bookshelf we carry people from
on our bookshelf we carry people from
on our bookshelf we carry people from all kinds of backgrounds social stigma
all kinds of backgrounds social stigma
all kinds of backgrounds social stigma admission gender sexuality lifestyle and
admission gender sexuality lifestyle and
admission gender sexuality lifestyle and I wanted to show you this one of our
I wanted to show you this one of our
I wanted to show you this one of our bestsellers the body modified this is a
bestsellers the body modified this is a
bestsellers the body modified this is a lifestyle topic where our bestseller
lifestyle topic where our bestseller
lifestyle topic where our bestseller here volunteered to answer any question
here volunteered to answer any question
here volunteered to answer any question you want to know about why I decided to
you want to know about why I decided to
you want to know about why I decided to look this way and maybe if you saw him
look this way and maybe if you saw him
look this way and maybe if you saw him on the street you wouldn’t feel
on the street you wouldn’t feel
on the street you wouldn’t feel comfortable or secure walking over there
comfortable or secure walking over there
comfortable or secure walking over there and saying hey guy that’s some pretty
and saying hey guy that’s some pretty
and saying hey guy that’s some pretty funky horn you got there but in the
funky horn you got there but in the
funky horn you got there but in the human library it’s okay in fact we have
human library it’s okay in fact we have
human library it’s okay in fact we have very simple rules bring the book back on
very simple rules bring the book back on
very simple rules bring the book back on time similar to the real library don’t
time similar to the real library don’t
time similar to the real library don’t take pages and tear them out don’t write
take pages and tear them out don’t write
take pages and tear them out don’t write notes in the book and don’t take it home
notes in the book and don’t take it home
notes in the book and don’t take it home we need it to give it to other readers
we need it to give it to other readers
we need it to give it to other readers and basically treat the people you
and basically treat the people you
and basically treat the people you borrow with the same respect that you
borrow with the same respect that you
borrow with the same respect that you want to be treated and then you have a
want to be treated and then you have a
want to be treated and then you have a unique opportunity to gain insight into
unique opportunity to gain insight into
unique opportunity to gain insight into someone who volunteered to share what
someone who volunteered to share what
someone who volunteered to share what they know we don’t have all the answers
they know we don’t have all the answers
they know we don’t have all the answers but we built a little safe space where
but we built a little safe space where
but we built a little safe space where you can go and find some of the answers
you can go and find some of the answers
you can go and find some of the answers if you have the courage now what defines
if you have the courage now what defines
if you have the courage now what defines the people we publish basically um we
the people we publish basically um we
the people we publish basically um we try to put up people that are facing
try to put up people that are facing
try to put up people that are facing stereotypes stigma discrimination some
stereotypes stigma discrimination some
stereotypes stigma discrimination some are exposed to hate crimes others are
are exposed to hate crimes others are
are exposed to hate crimes others are persecuted by the authorities in st.
persecuted by the authorities in st.
persecuted by the authorities in st. Petersburg recently we were supposed to
Petersburg recently we were supposed to
Petersburg recently we were supposed to have a human library at the Lenin
have a human library at the Lenin
have a human library at the Lenin library which is the state library
library which is the state library
library which is the state library in st. Petersburg Russia but the
in st. Petersburg Russia but the
in st. Petersburg Russia but the authorities looked at the list of topics
authorities looked at the list of topics
authorities looked at the list of topics we wanted to publish amongst them the
we wanted to publish amongst them the
we wanted to publish amongst them the homosexual and the authorities said we
homosexual and the authorities said we
homosexual and the authorities said we cannot allow you to publish a homosexual
cannot allow you to publish a homosexual
cannot allow you to publish a homosexual in a state library and so we had to move
in a state library and so we had to move
in a state library and so we had to move the event because obviously we can have
the event because obviously we can have
the event because obviously we can have cannot have anyone censoring our
cannot have anyone censoring our
cannot have anyone censoring our bookshelf what we’re really trying to to
bookshelf what we’re really trying to to
bookshelf what we’re really trying to to build is a place where all the talks
build is a place where all the talks
build is a place where all the talks that we were too afraid to do could
that we were too afraid to do could
that we were too afraid to do could happen in a safe environment so when we
happen in a safe environment so when we
happen in a safe environment so when we publish our books we go to high schools
publish our books we go to high schools
publish our books we go to high schools we go to libraries we go to universities
we go to libraries we go to universities
we go to libraries we go to universities colleges festivals we’re even a part of
colleges festivals we’re even a part of
colleges festivals we’re even a part of I don’t know how many of you know
I don’t know how many of you know
I don’t know how many of you know Heineken the beer but we’re working
Heineken the beer but we’re working
Heineken the beer but we’re working pretty closely with Heineken one of
pretty closely with Heineken one of
pretty closely with Heineken one of their slogans is open your world and if
their slogans is open your world and if
their slogans is open your world and if you go to the human library you could
you go to the human library you could
you go to the human library you could basically open your world you could meet
basically open your world you could meet
basically open your world you could meet someone you otherwise would never get a
someone you otherwise would never get a
someone you otherwise would never get a chance to meet and have a talk and gain
chance to meet and have a talk and gain
chance to meet and have a talk and gain insight we also work with institutions
insight we also work with institutions
insight we also work with institutions like the IMF and we work with labor
like the IMF and we work with labor
like the IMF and we work with labor unions housing associations but
unions housing associations but
unions housing associations but primarily we focus on civil society on
primarily we focus on civil society on
primarily we focus on civil society on building opportunities for you children
building opportunities for you children
building opportunities for you children elder everyone to come and meet the
elder everyone to come and meet the
elder everyone to come and meet the people they hear about the people they
people they hear about the people they
people they hear about the people they read about the the people they think
read about the the people they think
read about the the people they think they know something about but they never
they know something about but they never
they know something about but they never met them how many how many men are
met them how many how many men are
met them how many how many men are transsexual how many are friends with a
transsexual how many are friends with a
transsexual how many are friends with a Roma one of our bestsellers in Denmark
Roma one of our bestsellers in Denmark
Roma one of our bestsellers in Denmark is the Roma maybe I have a picture I can
is the Roma maybe I have a picture I can
is the Roma maybe I have a picture I can show he’s one of our best books and a
show he’s one of our best books and a
show he’s one of our best books and a lot of readers come to him and ask him
lot of readers come to him and ask him
lot of readers come to him and ask him you know but you don’t live in a trailer
you know but you don’t live in a trailer
you know but you don’t live in a trailer you’re not criminal you’re not no he’s
you’re not criminal you’re not no he’s
you’re not criminal you’re not no he’s got a job he’s educated he has a family
got a job he’s educated he has a family
got a job he’s educated he has a family his children is in school
his children is in school
his children is in school but the only Roma that the Danish people
but the only Roma that the Danish people
but the only Roma that the Danish people hear about are the Roma in the newspaper
hear about are the Roma in the newspaper
hear about are the Roma in the newspaper that are getting negative exposure they
that are getting negative exposure they
that are getting negative exposure they don’t have access to regular people so
don’t have access to regular people so
don’t have access to regular people so does it make sense or uncommon sense
does it make sense or uncommon sense
does it make sense or uncommon sense that we need to build a space where
that we need to build a space where
that we need to build a space where people can talk why can’t you go over to
people can talk why can’t you go over to
people can talk why can’t you go over to the fat guy in the supermarket and say
the fat guy in the supermarket and say
the fat guy in the supermarket and say hey dude how’d you get so fat why
hey dude how’d you get so fat why
hey dude how’d you get so fat why because it’s not in our norms
because it’s not in our norms
because it’s not in our norms we’re polite well some of us I’m not but
we’re polite well some of us I’m not but
we’re polite well some of us I’m not but most because I might go over to the guy
most because I might go over to the guy
most because I might go over to the guy and say hey I’d like to publish you and
and say hey I’d like to publish you and
and say hey I’d like to publish you and anyone would actually recruit books off
anyone would actually recruit books off
anyone would actually recruit books off the street if I need to I take books
the street if I need to I take books
the street if I need to I take books from everywhere books there is a great
from everywhere books there is a great
from everywhere books there is a great book hidden in most of us and a lot of
book hidden in most of us and a lot of
book hidden in most of us and a lot of you probably would be a best-seller
you probably would be a best-seller
you probably would be a best-seller you’d find a good topic for you and this
you’d find a good topic for you and this
you’d find a good topic for you and this concept really brings out winners on all
concept really brings out winners on all
concept really brings out winners on all sides why and how readers sitting down
sides why and how readers sitting down
sides why and how readers sitting down face to face with a person they would
face to face with a person they would
face to face with a person they would otherwise never meet and have access to
otherwise never meet and have access to
otherwise never meet and have access to and ask freely and not be judged books
and ask freely and not be judged books
and ask freely and not be judged books who are not only meeting readers and
who are not only meeting readers and
who are not only meeting readers and gaining insight into what people are
gaining insight into what people are
gaining insight into what people are thinking about people like me but also
thinking about people like me but also
thinking about people like me but also books being with other books you see the
books being with other books you see the
books being with other books you see the most beautiful part that I’ve come to
most beautiful part that I’ve come to
most beautiful part that I’ve come to learn about the human library is inside
learn about the human library is inside
learn about the human library is inside the book Depot you see in the book Depot
the book Depot you see in the book Depot
the book Depot you see in the book Depot all of the bestsellers are waiting for
all of the bestsellers are waiting for
all of the bestsellers are waiting for you the readers to come and take them
you the readers to come and take them
you the readers to come and take them and while they wait guess what they’re
and while they wait guess what they’re
and while they wait guess what they’re doing they’re reading each other so we
doing they’re reading each other so we
doing they’re reading each other so we got Jews Muslims disabled bipolar
got Jews Muslims disabled bipolar
got Jews Muslims disabled bipolar homeless Anonymous alcoholic sober
homeless Anonymous alcoholic sober
homeless Anonymous alcoholic sober alcoholic eating disorder refugees
alcoholic eating disorder refugees
alcoholic eating disorder refugees unemployed transgender asexuals vegans
unemployed transgender asexuals vegans
unemployed transgender asexuals vegans all coming together in a diversity like
all coming together in a diversity like
all coming together in a diversity like I’ve never seen
I’ve never seen
I’ve never seen so the beautiful part the meeting
so the beautiful part the meeting
so the beautiful part the meeting between the reader in the book and where
between the reader in the book and where
between the reader in the book and where we’re actually touching and meeting each
we’re actually touching and meeting each
we’re actually touching and meeting each other is great
other is great
other is great but behind the scenes these people
but behind the scenes these people
but behind the scenes these people become friends here’s a trends a body
become friends here’s a trends a body
become friends here’s a trends a body modified and a pansexual who are now
modified and a pansexual who are now
modified and a pansexual who are now colleagues bound together in their
colleagues bound together in their
colleagues bound together in their volunteer work to build social change in
volunteer work to build social change in
volunteer work to build social change in the society
the society
the society it’s a beautiful mission why do books
it’s a beautiful mission why do books
it’s a beautiful mission why do books volunteer
volunteer
volunteer why would someone facially disfigured or
why would someone facially disfigured or
why would someone facially disfigured or one of our victims of incest
one of our victims of incest
one of our victims of incest why does kamila volunteer to talk about
why does kamila volunteer to talk about
why does kamila volunteer to talk about being a victim of incest well let me
being a victim of incest well let me
being a victim of incest well let me give you an example of what happens
give you an example of what happens
give you an example of what happens inside because we work really hard to
inside because we work really hard to
inside because we work really hard to build a space where readers feel safe
build a space where readers feel safe
build a space where readers feel safe asking personal questions so a reading
asking personal questions so a reading
asking personal questions so a reading will typically last half an hour and
will typically last half an hour and
will typically last half an hour and we’ll start with five minutes where the
we’ll start with five minutes where the
we’ll start with five minutes where the book is gonna say hi my name is Ronnie
book is gonna say hi my name is Ronnie
book is gonna say hi my name is Ronnie I am your bereaved title today I lost my
I am your bereaved title today I lost my
I am your bereaved title today I lost my wife 4 and a half years ago I
wife 4 and a half years ago I
wife 4 and a half years ago I volunteered to answer questions because
volunteered to answer questions because
volunteered to answer questions because I’ve learned that talking about death
I’ve learned that talking about death
I’ve learned that talking about death and bereavement and sorrow is a big
and bereavement and sorrow is a big
and bereavement and sorrow is a big taboo and I’m prepared to talk to you
taboo and I’m prepared to talk to you
taboo and I’m prepared to talk to you about it if you want I’ll open up like
about it if you want I’ll open up like
about it if you want I’ll open up like that making you feel safe making you
that making you feel safe making you
that making you feel safe making you understand I volunteered I’m here to
understand I volunteered I’m here to
understand I volunteered I’m here to answer questions if you ask me something
answer questions if you ask me something
answer questions if you ask me something I don’t want to answer or maybe I don’t
I don’t want to answer or maybe I don’t
I don’t want to answer or maybe I don’t like talking about it because it’s too
like talking about it because it’s too
like talking about it because it’s too personal or I will say to you that that
personal or I will say to you that that
personal or I will say to you that that page hasn’t been published yet I’m very
page hasn’t been published yet I’m very
page hasn’t been published yet I’m very sorry and so will all of our books
sorry and so will all of our books
sorry and so will all of our books because we train them to be books we
because we train them to be books we
because we train them to be books we prepared them to be books we vetted
prepared them to be books we vetted
prepared them to be books we vetted their content we built their covers we
their content we built their covers we
their content we built their covers we put their chapters together to protect
put their chapters together to protect
put their chapters together to protect them and to ensure everybody had a good
them and to ensure everybody had a good
them and to ensure everybody had a good experience now Camilla
experience now Camilla
experience now Camilla Camila’s our victim of incest and a
Camila’s our victim of incest and a
Camila’s our victim of incest and a couple months ago well it’s more than
couple months ago well it’s more than
couple months ago well it’s more than that it was August last year to be
that it was August last year to be
that it was August last year to be honest we had an event in Denmark in a
honest we had an event in Denmark in a
honest we had an event in Denmark in a public library a man comes in and when
public library a man comes in and when
public library a man comes in and when we’re in a public library we have a desk
we’re in a public library we have a desk
we’re in a public library we have a desk just like the real library and at that
just like the real library and at that
just like the real library and at that desk
desk
desk we have librarians and those librarians
we have librarians and those librarians
we have librarians and those librarians have a list of catalog a list of all the
have a list of catalog a list of all the
have a list of catalog a list of all the topics we have on our bookshelf today
topics we have on our bookshelf today
topics we have on our bookshelf today available to you and then they’ll go
available to you and then they’ll go
available to you and then they’ll go through the list with you you’re gonna
through the list with you you’re gonna
through the list with you you’re gonna see something Wow
see something Wow
see something Wow oh wait that’s what I want to know about
oh wait that’s what I want to know about
oh wait that’s what I want to know about give me the deafblind Jamila got picked
give me the deafblind Jamila got picked
give me the deafblind Jamila got picked up by a reader and she came to me after
up by a reader and she came to me after
up by a reader and she came to me after the reading and she said to me what
the reading and she said to me what
the reading and she said to me what happened she told me this the man starts
happened she told me this the man starts
happened she told me this the man starts after she opened the session explaining
after she opened the session explaining
after she opened the session explaining her name is Kim Miller she’s the victim
her name is Kim Miller she’s the victim
her name is Kim Miller she’s the victim of incest and briefly what happened and
of incest and briefly what happened and
of incest and briefly what happened and why she volunteered to be a book the man
why she volunteered to be a book the man
why she volunteered to be a book the man said to her well I came here today to
said to her well I came here today to
said to her well I came here today to borrow you because I am pedophile i
borrow you because I am pedophile i
borrow you because I am pedophile i abused my five-year-old child I’ve been
abused my five-year-old child I’ve been
abused my five-year-old child I’ve been to jail for years and now I’m in medical
to jail for years and now I’m in medical
to jail for years and now I’m in medical treatment and everybody hates me he says
treatment and everybody hates me he says
treatment and everybody hates me he says and if I don’t take my medicine I might
and if I don’t take my medicine I might
and if I don’t take my medicine I might do something stupid again but I came
do something stupid again but I came
do something stupid again but I came here today because I want to ask your
here today because I want to ask your
here today because I want to ask your advice what can I do to help my child do
advice what can I do to help my child do
advice what can I do to help my child do you have any ideas of me what can I do
you have any ideas of me what can I do
you have any ideas of me what can I do to reduce the harm I caused to my
to reduce the harm I caused to my
to reduce the harm I caused to my journal now we thought this space was a
journal now we thought this space was a
journal now we thought this space was a space to challenge what you think you
space to challenge what you think you
space to challenge what you think you know about other people I think Muslims
know about other people I think Muslims
know about other people I think Muslims I think gay I think unemployed people
I think gay I think unemployed people
I think gay I think unemployed people don’t want to work whatever but what
don’t want to work whatever but what
don’t want to work whatever but what people really use the space for who are
people really use the space for who are
people really use the space for who are we to judge we just build the space we
we to judge we just build the space we
we to judge we just build the space we had another session with a woman in my
had another session with a woman in my
had another session with a woman in my neighborhood in Copenhagen
neighborhood in Copenhagen
neighborhood in Copenhagen coming into the Central Library to take
coming into the Central Library to take
coming into the Central Library to take out our Muslim book she lived in the
out our Muslim book she lived in the
out our Muslim book she lived in the Muslim neighborhood that’s where I live
Muslim neighborhood that’s where I live
Muslim neighborhood that’s where I live although I’m not Muslim but I grew up in
although I’m not Muslim but I grew up in
although I’m not Muslim but I grew up in this neighborhood and the demographics
this neighborhood and the demographics
this neighborhood and the demographics changed and now there’s a lot of people
changed and now there’s a lot of people
changed and now there’s a lot of people from different Muslim countries and it’s
from different Muslim countries and it’s
from different Muslim countries and it’s very nice place where I live and many
very nice place where I live and many
very nice place where I live and many nice people there this woman lives in a
nice people there this woman lives in a
nice people there this woman lives in a social housing project close to where I
social housing project close to where I
social housing project close to where I live and she came all the way to the
live and she came all the way to the
live and she came all the way to the human library downtown to borrow a
human library downtown to borrow a
human library downtown to borrow a muslim book and after 30 minutes she
muslim book and after 30 minutes she
muslim book and after 30 minutes she said to him it was very nice meeting you
said to him it was very nice meeting you
said to him it was very nice meeting you but I don’t believe you really a Muslim
but I don’t believe you really a Muslim
but I don’t believe you really a Muslim and he goes what she goes yeah you don’t
and he goes what she goes yeah you don’t
and he goes what she goes yeah you don’t live up to any of my stereotypes and he
live up to any of my stereotypes and he
live up to any of my stereotypes and he says well I’m happy for that that’s the
says well I’m happy for that that’s the
says well I’m happy for that that’s the whole idea is but the idea is actually
whole idea is but the idea is actually
whole idea is but the idea is actually that you take from the human library
that you take from the human library
that you take from the human library what you want you take the conversation
what you want you take the conversation
what you want you take the conversation in the direction you want and you’re
in the direction you want and you’re
in the direction you want and you’re gonna get out of it what you put into it
gonna get out of it what you put into it
gonna get out of it what you put into it we do not have an agenda we’re a neutral
we do not have an agenda we’re a neutral
we do not have an agenda we’re a neutral library and the library is one of the
library and the library is one of the
library and the library is one of the few neutral institutions in society our
few neutral institutions in society our
few neutral institutions in society our only agenda is to put the image the
only agenda is to put the image the
only agenda is to put the image the information forward and we’ve been doing
information forward and we’ve been doing
information forward and we’ve been doing that for 17 years now it started as a
that for 17 years now it started as a
that for 17 years now it started as a project for the festival I was lucky to
project for the festival I was lucky to
project for the festival I was lucky to write a little handbook about it it
write a little handbook about it it
write a little handbook about it it spread around Europe now we’re in 84
spread around Europe now we’re in 84
spread around Europe now we’re in 84 countries around the world yesterday
countries around the world yesterday
countries around the world yesterday while I was sitting in the hotel here in
while I was sitting in the hotel here in
while I was sitting in the hotel here in Bucharest nervous about this morning we
Bucharest nervous about this morning we
Bucharest nervous about this morning we opened in Amman Jordan and the readers
opened in Amman Jordan and the readers
opened in Amman Jordan and the readers at the King’s Academy in in Amman took
at the King’s Academy in in Amman took
at the King’s Academy in in Amman took advantage and it was beautiful and this
advantage and it was beautiful and this
advantage and it was beautiful and this weekend will be open in Cape Town South
weekend will be open in Cape Town South
weekend will be open in Cape Town South Africa for the first time events are
Africa for the first time events are
Africa for the first time events are happening sort of viral we try to
happening sort of viral we try to
happening sort of viral we try to quality and assure them we work with
quality and assure them we work with
quality and assure them we work with partners we have a human library network
partners we have a human library network
partners we have a human library network in Italy we got a whole country in
in Italy we got a whole country in
in Italy we got a whole country in Poland full of partners 40 or 50
Poland full of partners 40 or 50
Poland full of partners 40 or 50 different human library local partners
different human library local partners
different human library local partners organizing the children library we’re
organizing the children library we’re
organizing the children library we’re working with school districts library
working with school districts library
working with school districts library systems Library Association’s anybody
systems Library Association’s anybody
systems Library Association’s anybody who wants to implement this methodology
who wants to implement this methodology
who wants to implement this methodology to try and build a greater understanding
to try and build a greater understanding
to try and build a greater understanding for our diversity and more tolerance
what we’re really offering is real
what we’re really offering is real people and it’s a real conversation and
people and it’s a real conversation and
people and it’s a real conversation and there are no two conversations that will
there are no two conversations that will
there are no two conversations that will be the same
be the same
be the same we also offer group readings because
we also offer group readings because
we also offer group readings because when we go to a workplace there’s no
when we go to a workplace there’s no
when we go to a workplace there’s no time for a one-on-one so typically staff
time for a one-on-one so typically staff
time for a one-on-one so typically staff will be at tables with four or six
will be at tables with four or six
will be at tables with four or six readers at each table sharing a book and
readers at each table sharing a book and
readers at each table sharing a book and then after half an hour that book will
then after half an hour that book will
then after half an hour that book will get up go to the next table and meet
get up go to the next table and meet
get up go to the next table and meet another group of readers each session
another group of readers each session
another group of readers each session will include three readings and this is
will include three readings and this is
will include three readings and this is also a way to do diversity and inclusion
also a way to do diversity and inclusion
also a way to do diversity and inclusion work in the workplace to help build a
work in the workplace to help build a
work in the workplace to help build a greater understanding for the diversity
greater understanding for the diversity
greater understanding for the diversity we have now all of our books volunteer
we have now all of our books volunteer
we have now all of our books volunteer because they have personal experience
because they have personal experience
because they have personal experience they have faced discrimination stigma
they have faced discrimination stigma
they have faced discrimination stigma stereotypes on their own body and
stereotypes on their own body and
stereotypes on their own body and they’re ready to share they’re ready to
they’re ready to share they’re ready to
they’re ready to share they’re ready to help pave the way for greater
help pave the way for greater
help pave the way for greater understanding for the rest of the group
understanding for the rest of the group
understanding for the rest of the group that’s behind them so in a way we
that’s behind them so in a way we
that’s behind them so in a way we recruit people and make them sort of
recruit people and make them sort of
recruit people and make them sort of ambassadors for a group we find we try
ambassadors for a group we find we try
ambassadors for a group we find we try to find great examples good good role
to find great examples good good role
to find great examples good good role models but normal people regular people
models but normal people regular people
models but normal people regular people who live a regular life and who can show
who live a regular life and who can show
who live a regular life and who can show that we have a lot more in common than
that we have a lot more in common than
that we have a lot more in common than what’s keeping us apart at the moment we
what’s keeping us apart at the moment we
what’s keeping us apart at the moment we live in highly polarized times
live in highly polarized times
live in highly polarized times politicians are profiting from pitting
politicians are profiting from pitting
politicians are profiting from pitting us against each other
us against each other
us against each other politicians are instead of building
politicians are instead of building
politicians are instead of building bridges between people they’re actually
bridges between people they’re actually
bridges between people they’re actually widening the gap it’s all over the world
widening the gap it’s all over the world
widening the gap it’s all over the world it’s not a specially American problem
it’s not a specially American problem
it’s not a specially American problem although it’s significant there it’s
although it’s significant there it’s
although it’s significant there it’s it’s a problem everywhere
it’s a problem everywhere
it’s a problem everywhere because when people are afraid you can
because when people are afraid you can
because when people are afraid you can get them to vote I fear something and
get them to vote I fear something and
get them to vote I fear something and filling your heart with anger and fear
filling your heart with anger and fear
filling your heart with anger and fear it’s much easier than trust and love why
it’s much easier than trust and love why
it’s much easier than trust and love why should I trust him he looks so different
should I trust him he looks so different
should I trust him he looks so different how can I love this person how can I
how can I love this person how can I
how can I love this person how can I trust that I won’t be disappointed or
trust that I won’t be disappointed or
trust that I won’t be disappointed or letdown
letdown
letdown those are much more difficult emotions
those are much more difficult emotions
those are much more difficult emotions to handle than anger and hate I’m angry
to handle than anger and hate I’m angry
to handle than anger and hate I’m angry with the traffic this morning I’m angry
with the traffic this morning I’m angry
with the traffic this morning I’m angry with the hotel breakfast I’m angry with
with the hotel breakfast I’m angry with
with the hotel breakfast I’m angry with the can get angry easily but it’s very
the can get angry easily but it’s very
the can get angry easily but it’s very difficult to find trust and open to
difficult to find trust and open to
difficult to find trust and open to people so we actually say come on down
people so we actually say come on down
people so we actually say come on down try this in Copenhagen we have a book
try this in Copenhagen we have a book
try this in Copenhagen we have a book depot with over 70 publications and we
depot with over 70 publications and we
depot with over 70 publications and we publish them 25 to 30 times a year in
publish them 25 to 30 times a year in
publish them 25 to 30 times a year in Chicago we have 65 we publish them 8 to
Chicago we have 65 we publish them 8 to
Chicago we have 65 we publish them 8 to 12 times a year in what Slav and Poland
12 times a year in what Slav and Poland
12 times a year in what Slav and Poland we have about 10 events in the city a
we have about 10 events in the city a
we have about 10 events in the city a year on their book collection and today
year on their book collection and today
year on their book collection and today if everything goes well and you guys
if everything goes well and you guys
if everything goes well and you guys feel inspired after this time in the
feel inspired after this time in the
feel inspired after this time in the lunch break we hope to invite you to
lunch break we hope to invite you to
lunch break we hope to invite you to become readers of the human library
become readers of the human library
become readers of the human library thank you very much for joining us today
thank you very much for joining us today
thank you very much for joining us today [Applause]
”
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