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Professionalism, Politics and the Public



Why it is NOT appropriate to post partisan political messages on this
list:

(1) Inclusiveness: Archives are for everyone. Also, we need a variety of
perspectives in the profession-- after all, we are the ones making
decisions about what should be kept for future generations and, you know,
we (individually) just might not realize our own blind spots.

Now I realize that my colleagues are posting their own INDIVIDUAL opinions
on the elections. The reason that isn't a good idea on this professional
list is that some of our colleagues will begin to wonder about the
profession as a whole having this or that slant and think, "what am I
doing here, a (pick your political viewpoint), surrounded by all of these
(pick the other viewpoint). Maybe I don't belong. Maybe I should keep my
mouth shut or maybe I should just leave." We can't afford that.

(2) It wastes our time. So do, frankly, most attempts at humor. These
e-mail discussion lists work best when they have a tight focus. I have
other sources for political commentary (and humor).

When I've got my archivist hat on, I don't think that the public, or my
staff or my superiors should have any reason to think that I'm a Democrat,
Republic, Green, Reform or whatever. It is also none of their business to
know.

Christopher Densmore
University Archives
University at Buffalo
420 Capen Hall
Box 602200
Buffalo, New York  14260-2200

Voice: 716-645-2916
Fax: 716-645-3714
E-Mail: Densmore@acsu.buffalo.edu

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