On the "Seeds of Change" Exhibit

Adopted at 1993 Midwinter Meeting

WHEREAS the "Seeds of Change" exhibit sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution has been found by reviewers and Native Americans to have a Eurocentric, pro-Columbus slant, and is biased in its presentation of both Native American and African-American cultures and histories (see Bigelow, Bill, "Two Myths are Not Better Than One," Monthly Review, July/August 1992, pp. 28-48); and

WHEREAS the exhibit is also biased in its assumption that viewers share its distinctly slanted viewpoint; and

WHEREAS ALA and public libraries are committed to providing balanced and truthful information regarding the Quincentennial to a public which includes all races and colors;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Social Responsibilities Round Table of the American Library Association encourage libraries hosting "Seeds of Change" to cancel the exhibit in favor of other exhibits which provide a more balanced viewpoint, and that these libraries inform the Smithsonian Institution of the reasons for their cancellations; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution, together with ALA's Columbus Quincentennial Resolution, be sent to host libraries, the Secretary and Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, and the library and Native American press.