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C. Scala's avatar

Whenever I consider the possibility that truths can be extirpated and lost, I think about Orwell and Hannah Arendt. Thanks, Richard Ovenden, for reminding us about librarians, who are often unsung heroes. A related set of unsung heroes are those who have, often at risk to their own lives, hidden or smuggled documents out of dangerous places. One of these is an Iraqi Archbishop who saved hundreds of ancient manuscripts from destruction at the hand of ISIS. Before they were murdered, prisoners in the Warsaw ghetto created and buried an archive of their lives under Nazi persecution. Most Americans may not know it, but US postal workers have often risked their lives and well being to save mail, including during the 1906 San Francisco earthquake and fire. The fact that so many have risked so much to save documents from destruction should shame all those in the US today who celebrate the destruction of truth in favor of narratives that serve their interests.

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Bob Scott Placier's avatar

Thanks for this. I know I am not supposed to forward, but will certainly tell my librarian daughter in Tallahassee about it. Proud of the important work she does.

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