Disability, Aging & Oppression

What is Oppression?

Defining oppression is very challenging. Perhaps the best way to define oppression is by examining its root word: oppress. The American Heritage Dictionary defines oppress in two ways: “to keep down by unjust use of force or authority” and “to weigh heavily on the mind or spirit of (American Heritage, 1994).” I believe that both of these definitions adequately explore what oppression manifests itself as in the library environment for both the victims of oppression and the applications on oppression to greater society.

Attempting to understand what oppression is requires examination of group oppression versus individual oppression. As library professionals, we tend to focus on individual services and often stray from “grouping” patrons together. We focus on customer service and user experience on a very individual basis. Each patron is considered to be a unique individual with unique information needs. Yet, when it comes to patrons with disabilities and patrons who are senior citizens, we group. Peter Jones examined the philosophical aspect of group and individual rights in his article, Group Rights and Group Oppression (Jones, 1999). He writes:

“There is little about group rights that is uncontroversial but there is at least this much agreement up on the basic concept: a right is a group right only if it is a right held by a group rather than by its members severally. If rights are held by individuals separately, their shared rights do not add up to a group right even though their rights relate to a characteristic which marks them off, sociologically, as a group. A right is a group right only it is a right held by a group qua group (Jones, 1999).”

Although this concept is very philosophical in nature, it does have very practical application in the world of library and information science. Where does group oppression begin and individual oppression end? How do we facilitate individual rights without “grouping” all individuals experiencing disabilities together? Are we addressing oppression with too much emphasis on group and too little emphasis on individuals?

 Do you think that persons with disabilities experience oppression?

I definitely believe that persons with disabilities experience oppression but I don’t believe that this oppression occurs intentionally by most institutions and individuals. Having a disability often times makes life more challenging and institutions owe it to all patrons to provide access services which make the experiences of the disabled as streamlined to experiences of the non-disabled, which is often a challenging. It’s important for us to utilize all of the resources available and to say informed to avoid unintentionally oppressing (“keeping down by force or authority”) our patrons.

How would you use issues of oppression in working with persons with disabilities?

Working in a public library environment, library professionals encounter individuals with disabilities on a daily basis. Often times we are unaware of the challenges that many individuals with disabilities face. Perhaps our best line of defense in attacking oppression is communication. Talking to individuals with disabilities about their need and desires to improve services is often a simple and practical tool that is far too often unused. Joining and keeping informed with organizations that promote and inform about services to those with disabilities is another way that oppression can be fought.

Can this same concept of oppression be applied to the experiences of older adults?

Older adults are definitely oppressed in many institutions. Again, I don’t believe that this occurs intentionally most of the time, but it does occur. Perhaps one of the greatest challenges that service to older adults bring is the inability on the part of library professionals to understand their unique needs as individuals.

It continues to amaze me how often senior citizens are typecast as having certain personality characteristics and enjoying certain specific tasks. Not all seniors have jolly personalities and enjoy Bingo. Also, not all senior citizens read exclusively large print materials and have difficulties using computer equipment. These stereotypes need to be addressed and recognized as issues of oppression.

Work Cited:

American Heritage Dictionary.

Jones, P. (1999), Group Rights and Group Oppression. Journal of Political Philosophy, 7: 353–377. doi: 10.1111/1467-9760.00081

Multiculturalism & Aging

The demographics of the senior citizen community are rapidly changing. It is estimated that the number of minority older people will grow from 5.7 million in 2000 to 33.5 million in 2050 (Novak, 2012). Clearly this population is changing and the way that libraries approach senior citizen programming will have to reflect these changes. It is important for Information and Library Science professionals to understand these changes so that they can provide the highest level of services to their communities.

There are many forces that will account for this increase in the older minority group populations in the future including fertility rates, migration patterns and mortality rates. The fastest growing minority group in the United States is Hispanic/Latino Americans. This population is rapidly growing due to its high fertility rate and high level of immigration.  In 2010, Hispanic persons made up 7.1% of senior citizens. By the year 2050 it is estimated that this population will be 19.8% of the total senior population (Novak, 2012). Therefore having an understanding of the unique issues that many Hispanic Seniors face is very important.

Understanding the diversity that is present within the Hispanic community is helpful when studying this population. Hispanics can trace their ancestry from many different counties including Mexico, Cuba, and Central and South America (Novak, 2012). Librarians should keep the following statistical information in mind when designing programs to serve Hispanic seniors or senior populations of the future:

·         Hispanic seniors suffer from high rates of chronic illnesses including Diabetes and Cancer.

·         Older Hispanics tend to have higher rates of disability with daily tasks like driving and managing finances than older whites and African-Americans.

·         Senior Hispanics often suffer from high rates of Depression.

·         Hispanic Americans generally have lower incomes than African Americans or whites.

(Statistics from Novak, 2012.)

Perhaps librarians need to focus on providing an increased level of information about resources where senior Hispanics can access preventative health care and mental health services.

Another senior citizen minority group that is rapidly growing is African Americans. In 2010, the African American senior population was 3.3 million. In the year 2050, this population is expected to group to over 9.9 million (Novak, 2012). In order to provide high quality services to all senior citizens, it is important for librarians to understand the following statistics:

·         African Americans have less knowledge about health issues and have less access to health care resources compared to whites.

·         Compared to whites, African Americans often are treated by doctors with less access to high-quality medical resources.

·         On average, senior African Americans have only about one quarter the net worth of white seniors.

·         Fewer African American senior live alone, they often live with children or grandchildren.

·         African American Seniors often highly value friendships and fictive kin.

(Statistics from Novak, 2012)

            By understanding the unique issues that minority seniors face, librarians can better serve patrons of today and prepare for the patrons of tomorrow.

 

Work Cited:

Novak, M. (2012). Issues in aging. (3 ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

Local Community Agencies

 

I enjoyed examining the websites of three libraries to find out what types of services and programming they are offering to senior citizens.

The first library website that I examined was from Jackson District Library, a public library system in Jackson County Michigan. After clicking on the Events tab, I was pleasantly surprised at both the variety and number of programs that were either directly targeting senior citizens or would be senior citizen friendly. Here are a few of the programs offered:

·         Senior Yoga: offered every Wednesday morning

·         Garden Club Meetings: offered monthly

·         Beading: craft making program

·         Scrapbooking: craft making program

·         Sit n Stitch: sewing program

·         Classic Movie Thursday: a classic movie is shown followed by discussion

·         Introduction to Social Networking: computer class

·         Introduction to Word Processing: computer class

·         Book Clubs: three clubs for adults are offered

The second library website that I examined was from Lenawee County Library, a public library serving Lenawee County Michigan. After clicking on “Programs” I was taken to a listing of a variety of programs for all ages. Many of these programs could appeal to senior citizens, but none of them were designated exclusively for seniors. Here are some of the programs offered:

·         Computer Instruction Courses: a wide variety ranging from basic computing to specific programs

·         Digital Camera Courses

·         Book Clubs

Although the offerings at LCL are not extremely plentiful, they do offer various services on a mobile Bookmobile. The Bookmobile visits various locations throughout the county including many nursing homes and senior living communities.

The third library website that I examined was from Adrian Public Library, a public library in Adrian, Michigan. After clicking the link for “Adult” I was taken to a listing of programming options for adults which would include Senior Citizens. Here are some of the programs offered:

·         Book Clubs

·         Computer Instruction Courses

·         Art Exhibits

Residents of Lenawee County are lucky enough to be able to take advantage of the many offerings that the Lenawee County Senior Centers offer. With seven locations throughout Lenawee County, these centers provide various fun activities and meals for seniors on a daily or weekly basis. These centers also serve as centers of socialization for many senior citizens. Their website (lenaweeseniors.org) is easy to maneuver and includes a printable menu as well. Some of the offerings include:

·         Bingo

·         Line Dancing

·         Card Playing

·         Music

·         Painting

·         Sing-A-Longs

·         Tax Assistance

·         Trips

Between the various libraries in the area and the senior centers, there are opportunities for senior members of the community to engage in fun filled activities. It is unfortunate that area libraries do not have links to more community resources like the senior center on their website.

After examining various local library websites, I do believe that there is a need for greater collaboration between community agencies that serve senior citizens and local libraries. Collaboration between libraries and community agencies would provide seniors with an increased opportunity to engage in activities, and would prevent duplication of services between organizations. Also by utilizing the resources of each organization, all parties could benefit.