Human Library

The Human Library is designed to build a positive framework for conversations that can challenge stereotypes and prejudices through dialogue.

 

The Human Library™ is where the books are people with incredible life stories and the readers get to ask the books questions. It’s a positive and safe space in which stereotypes are challenged and prejudices broken down through dialogue and understanding.  Traditionally the Human Library is hosted in a face-to-face environment but this live digital experience is a Human Library first, enabling people from all over South African to join the conversation.

SACAP (The South African College of Applied Psychology) in partnership with the Human Library South Africa is hosting a Human Library Facebook Live book series. Running weekly until 12th December, book titles include “A Domestic Violence Survivor”, “Living HIV+” and “Living with Depression”.  

This week’s book is Zeta. She is a survivor of drug addiction, rape and domestic abuse. On Thursday 29th November at 12 pm Zeta will be in conversation with SACAP CEO Lance Katz. Join them live on Facebook to hear her story, ask questions and shatter some misconceptions.

On Friday, 7th December the Human Library Facebook Live book series will be in conversation with Brett “Living HIV+” and then on Wednesday, 12th December with Pierre “Living with Depression”.

Watch the first Facebook Live with Kgotose, “A Young Cancer Survivor” here.

Why is it so important, especially in South Africa, to have dialogues around the issues that are currently affecting society?

“Dialogue opens up opportunity for engagement, the kind of engagement that enables us to better understand each other’s humanity”, says Dr Laura Fisher, Head of Strategic Development at SACAP, who will be in conversation with Brett on 12th December.

“All of us come from different families, have unique backgrounds as well as special and sometimes unusual life experiences. Dialogue creates space where we come to know each other better, come to understand our shared humanity and move toward deeper sensitivity and empathy for each-other. Holding dialogue around issues currently affecting society does the same, opening the possibility for shared experience and deepened insight and understanding that enables us to innovate together.”

The Human Library was initiated in Copenhagen in 2000 to build a positive framework for conversations that can challenge stereotypes and prejudices through dialogue. 18 years down-the-line the Human Library concept has spread to many countries internationally and launched in Cape Town in late 2017. For more information about the Human Library visit their Facebook page here.


Sources: Supplied
Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens.
Click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast, with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to and he truly believes that there’s good news all around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:

Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll hopefully leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.

About the Author

Tyler Leigh Vivier is a writer for Good Things Guy.

Her passion is to spread good news across South Africa with a big focus on environmental issues, animal welfare and social upliftment. Outside of Good Things Guy, she is an avid reader and lover of tea.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *