What role do archivists play in preserving, performing, and producing history?
Archivists examine how a document connects to people, how it reflects the values of its historical context, and how its meaning may have changed pver time. Archivists determine to what extent a document enriches the general knowledge of a period in time.Archivists benefit from professional standarts to asses the value of objects.
In her presentation at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Archives Conferrence, Samantha Winn argues that archival descriptions can’t be completely objective or neutral. She believes archivists’ personal biases and worldviews prevent total honesty in their work. This assumption can lead to biased and inaccurate representations that continue historical mistakes and marginalization
Winn states that archivists need to regularly reflect on their biases and stay engaged with scholarly work to address these issues. Pointing out that “archival neutrality” has historically contributed to the margilalization and the erasure of certain groups specifically marginalized groups. Winn calls for an effort to change archival practices and standards to be more inclusive.
Highlighting the demographic norms of the archival profession often young, white-presenting and straight academic archivists are not always equipped to move beyond the status quo. Winn advocates for developing cultural competency and awareness in archivists. Calling for a fundemental change in the archival profession, aiming for a future where inclusive and community driven description is the norm. She stresses the need for changes in graduate education and standards to achieve this goal. Archivists must go past the current norms and engage in meaningful discussions with colleagues from different fields and backgrounds.
Winn, Samantha. “The Hubris of Neutrality in Archives.” On Archivy (Medium), April 21, 2017. https://medium.com/on-archivy/the-hubris-of-neutrality-in-archives-8df6b523fe9f.