Living Libraries

Don't judge a book by its cover

This is a really interesting idea where humans are rented out instead of books. Challenge your own prejudices with a living library.

The Living Library Project

The Human Library originated, like many forward thinking social projects, in Scandinavia more specifically, in Copenhagen, Denmark.

At its heart, it aims to address social prejudices as obvious as disability, disfigurement, sexuality, religion and race but it also covers less obvious subjects like male nannies, knitters and hiphoppers! In an increasingly globalised world this seems like a very positive idea. Also, as globalised as we are, we're becoming more and more separated from people living in our close vicinity. I'd imagine the majority of people in cities don't know who their neighbours are. I just heard a radio programme on the Human Library on Radio 4. Interestingly, the project seems to help the people living with the stigma as well as those holding a stereotyped view.

Fortunately, they don't try to preach a doctrine or to convert people. It also doesn't just seem to attract people who are already quite liberal and accepting. Even if you are liberal and open you still might not have the knowledge to completely understand a group of people.Or you might not think you stereotype at all and it's completely reasonable to, let's say struggle to understand fundamentalism and pro-life. You might be a Darwinist and think creationism ridiculous. But listening to someone else's viewpoint might open you up a bit, you might learn more about the topic and broaden your horizons.

I think, it's important to recognise that having stereotypes is innate and useful for us as human beings to function. It's important to challenge your views though. And in a politically correct society it's also useful to have a floor to discuss stereotypes in. Interestingly, some venues for the human library projects don't like posters to use certain words that might offend the public.Hmmm.

I'm not sure you'd get every type of person to participate in this idea, but it's novel and nice tangent to come at the topic of stereotypes from. I'm sick of hearing about what a waste of time and money prison is, and about the lack of understanding in the world creating mindless conflict. It's the type of thing our government should endorse. My advice- Get down to your local (human) library.