Saturday, March 23, 2024
10:00AM-1:00PM | 3:00PM-6:00PM
Free and open to all
Meet Our Human Books
BIPOLAR
My journey to stability has been a long road. There is so much fear, misunderstanding and shame surrounding mental illness. I believe sharing our stories openly helps bring about healing and reduce stigma.
PACIFIST ARMY SPOUSE
As a pacifist connected to the military, I've existed in spaces that are actively trying to erase me. And yet, I thrive. Through conversation and deep listening, I've helped build communities that see, respect, and value each other.
DISABLED POLE DANCER
Pole dancing has its own stigmas, and as a disabled poler I seek to break those assumptions down. I'm passionate about speaking to my own experiences and how disabled people are represented in Western society.
SCIENTIST
Busking at Pike Place Market, with a PHD in physics! Sharing my many lived experiences and curious to learn about the experiences of my readers through open conversation.
PHILANTHROPIST
When I walk into the room in my attire people wonder why I'm here. Appearances don't tell the whole story of my journey from a village in The Gambia to my current career and philanthropic work.
POET
My story of finding empathy, courage, resilience and new lives through poetry and sharing it with the world.
MUSLIM
Sharing my experience of growing up Muslim in America to help question people's assumptions and getting folks to stop and think before making judgements.
BOY SOLDIER (FORMER)
Sharing my journey as a Nuer tribe member in South Sudan, a boy solider, a refugee and my time as an immigrant and US citizen.
PRISONER
How I became a bank robber, was shot three times in a shoot out with the police and spent two decades in prison.
SPIRITUAL
What does it mean to be spiritual? Am I a witch, fortune teller, finder of lost things or people, or a summoner of spirits?
No, none of the above.
What is
The Human Library?
The Human Library is a place for safe and honest conversations between people that aims to improve understanding and community across cultural and social differences.
The Human Library was created in Copenhagen in the spring of 2000 and is currently facilitating conversations in more than 80 countries worldwide. At Folio: The Seattle Athenaeum, a collection of local Books will be available, and Readers will be invited to learn about the Book's individual experiences and engage in conversation.
What is a
Human Book?
Human Library Books are volunteers who have received training in talking about a topic based on their personal experiences and answer questions from Readers.
The Books give Readers a space to explore and challenge assumptions about the topics they publish. Open Books are volunteers, who expect, appreciate, and also answer difficult questions about their topics, as long as it is respectful.
