Each year, a librarian creates a physical display to highlight resources related to the year's theme. Given that each librarian has a different background and lived experiences, their individual approach to the theme is unique. Material highlighted is based on their individual point-of-view and comes highly recommended.
For 2023, I approached the Filipinx American History Month display with a very intentional target. In the Spring, I became the subject liaison librarian for Asian and Asian American Studies. With this responsibility and being a native San Diegian, I wanted to honor the history of the Filipinx community in San Diego. I have always known that there is a large Filipino community in San Diego.
General exploration of what has been documented about the Filipino community in San Diego
- A few prolific researchers in this space
The "first" Filipino Students are SDSU
- the trauma of archival collections and what gets collected
Policy changes
- naming of a freeway
Investigating why? and understanding the influence of the U.S. Navy
Understanding Identity or how one wants to identify and explore that idealogy
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Getting current.
Through conversations with a current SDSU student who is an advocate for his Filipino community, I learned so much that can't be found in documented "literature." Instead, it's all of his connections and insights that speak to him and his lived experiences. I was inspired by his joy to have Ruby Ibarra headline this year's FAH Month events hosted on campus.
