Human book speaks to cultural diversity

"What's it like to be you?"

Not many people ask that of one another but it's encouraged during the Prince George Public Library's Human Library event. People can check out a Human Book today from 1 to 3 p.m. for a 20-minute conversation.

The books are members of the community who represent diverse subjects like religion, ethnicity, career identity, criminality and love.

The books can offer insight into challenges faced because of culture, belief, disability, sexual orientation, gender or appearance. The event will promote understanding of experiences unlike their own and offers an alternative way to think about things like diversity and stereotypes of certain groups in our community.

Charelle Evelyn, a reporter at the Prince George Citizen, was invited to take part in the event and she will talk about growing up as one of the only visible minorities in her school. Her Human Book is called The Minority.

"I will be talking about being that singular presence," said Evelyn. "Growing up I was one of the only black people in my school from elementary school through high school and in any place I've ever worked. Here in Prince George, I laugh at it, but when you're a novelty it's an interesting perspective that you get of the world."

Despite being in that position, Evelyn said she's been really lucky and doesn't have any real horror stories to share.

"There's been the occasional 'go back to where you come from' type of comments that I remember getting in elementary school by older kids," said Evelyn.

To gauge what it's like to live in Prince George as a black person, she describes the circumstance where she and a black man were in the same location.

"That's the story that I always tell people about the fact that it's such a novelty and such a rare coincidence for there to be more than one black person in any given location in Prince George at any given time that people automatically assume we are together in some capacity or we're related," said Evelyn. "And if you saw two white people walking together, you wouldn't assume, but it's an automatic assumption. And that's always the kind of story I tell people who live in diverse communities to describe what it's like here. Some people just kind of stare and they can't believe it and they're not only thinking it, they're saying it, too. It's so out there and so unusual and it's such a crazy idea that they have to vocalize it. Like 'Hey! You're different!'"

Evelyn took a few days to decide whether she was going to participate in the Human Book event at the library.

"Because I already draw enough attention just by being in the room, I don't like to call attention," said Evelyn. "But I like the idea that people are interested and want to broaden their horizons. And you know what? Maybe somebody wants to know."

To schedule time with a Human Book contact the library at 250-563-9251, ext. 141 or e-mail [email protected].