The Pima County Library system sponsored a social justice poster creation class at the Joel D. Valdez Main Library on Friday, January 4. Students who were looking for “fun at the end of winter break!” were invited to attend.
The class, Linoprinting 101: Create Social Justice Posters, offered students an opportunity to “talk about the history of social justice posters and teach youth how to make their own lino prints” and display their work at a “pop-up gallery show.”
Pima County residents pay the highest taxes property taxes in the state of Arizona. Democrat controlled Tucson, the largest metropolitan area in Pima County, was ranked 6th in the nation for people living in poverty.
According to the Pima County Public Library’s website they hope to be recognized and valued by all community members.
•A significant resource and advocate for youth as they develop from birth to thoughtful inheritors of our community.
•A destination and place of discovery that provides abundant print materials, digital options and functions as a welcoming place for the exchange of ideas among all residents to satisfy their life-long curiosity.
•A community asset and an active partner in community building recognized for creating and motivating a skilled workforce, nurturing and celebrating our diverse cultural heritage, supporting the arts in all forms, and building 100% literacy for the residents of Pima County.
•An organization that cultivates staff that are knowledgeable, passionate and positive about the central role libraries play in individual lives and community growth.
•A forward-thinking institution that recognizes, supports and provides technological breakthroughs advancing the convenient, effective use of information, knowledge and communication.
•An organization that incorporates and integrates the goals of sustainability into all aspects of its operations.
•A free democratic institution devoted to providing community members with the information needed to participate in our democratic community.
Mike Ebert, a local businessperson who has been very involved in education issues, questioned the class. “Pima County Libraries are doing what? Social justice programs are the opposite of being egalitarian; they are designed to break down society into integral parts. Social justice programs divide people. I believe the teaching of same is not only counterproductive but young minds should be protected from it. Our library system getting involved in the teaching of our great American history would be nice instead of this propaganda. I bet students could come up with some great artwork that is positive and fruitful for their advancement into society.”