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#BlackLivesMatter

Glendale Library Arts and Culture and ReflectSpace Gallery stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement and with all communities of color to fight racism, injustice and inequality. We condemn slavery in all its forms, in the past as well as in all its current realizations in police brutality, mass incarceration and systemic racism.

Part of our work as a library and gallery is to bring histories and stories of human rights violations and social justice issues to a larger audience. We have amplified Black and Brown stories and histories of other under-represented communities, we have promoted equality, awareness, and inclusion, and work to support the start of difficult but necessary conversations. And we will continue to do so.

All narratives of violence and oppression have fundamental similarities and a critical part of our work at ReflectSpace is to build bridges and create a space in which these parallel histories of violence—be they slavery, the Armenian Genocide, Korean Comfort Women, Native Americans, and a whole host of others—can be recognized and connected.

In the words of Alicia Garza, a leader of #BlackLivesMatter movement: “#BlackLivesMatter doesn’t mean your life isn’t important–it means that Black lives, which are seen as without value within White supremacy, are important to your liberation. Given the disproportionate impact state violence has on Black lives, we understand that when Black people in this country get free, the benefits will be wide reaching and transformative for society as a whole.”

The Library is a space for our whole community to come together, not just to read, but to learn, grow, and thrive. When we confront the role that systemic racism plays in our culture, and work to dismantle it, we will all benefit from a more just, kind, and dynamic society.

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