Archives for All: Professional Responsibility and Social Justice

Archives for All: Professional Responsibility and Social Justice

Archives

Jimerson argues that in the information age, knowledge is power, and power is determined by those who determine what information will be preserved for the future, i.e., archivists. Therefore, archivists should use their power to benefit all members of society. He contends that archivists should adopt a social conscience and “promote accountability, open government, diversity, and social justice.” In addition, this social conscience can be implemented through objectivity (he explains the difference between objectivity and neutrality) in which archivists can address social issues without abandoning their professional standards and values. He says their role does not prohibit political advocacy, and Jimerson argues that archivists have both a moral and a professional responsibility to balance the power of the status quo with that of the marginalized. Therefore, they should help restore social wrongs and support the causes for justice and community consciousness among these marginalized groups. They should be public advocates and agents of change because they have a collective responsibility to ensure the preservation of information (or evidence) for “accountability, individual rights, and social justice.” Jimerson believes archivists has two main goals: (1) reflect diverse societies and give a voice to those marginalized, and (2) increase professional membership among marginalized groups. And, these commitments must be international in order to be effective.

Jimerson, Randall

Society of the American Archivist

2007

Polk, Victoria

© 2015

Journal Article

http://archivists.metapress.com/content/m0r3p382j155/

Jimerson, Randall. "The American Archivist." The Society of the American Archivist 77.2 (2014): n.pag. Web. 28 Apr. 2015.