Lethbridge College was host to a Human Library seminar on Feb. 13. The seminar featured two “human books” that talked about their lives and experiences with discrimination. The college said more seminars are scheduled for the future.
Picture this: the grass is green, the wind is in your hair and the sound of dogs barking pierce your ears as you walk through the park. After the walk you think to yourself, I’m thirsty. I should get a drink. You head to a coffee shop and place your order.
After ordering your coffee, the barista says your name wrong once again and you correct him for the fifth time. Then, the barista begins judging you for correcting his English due to the colour of your skin and the accent of your voice. This is something that has been happening to Oye Abioye for the past 20 years and unfortunately, he doesn’t see it ending anytime soon.
Abioye was originally born in Nigeria where he spent the first few years of his life. He said goodbye to his childhood friends and moved to England when he was a teenager. Since then, he has only returned to Nigeria once too see his family in his mid-twenties.
Currently, Abioye is living in Lethbridge working at the college. He was also a recent guest speaker for a human library seminar, which helped him convey the struggles he has faced growing up outside his home country.
The main theme behind this year’s seminar was black history month and featured the life story of Abioye.
He said he attended the event to tell people his story, but also to remind students of the struggle people faced in the past.
“The freedom we have right now was a result of the perseverance, the effort, the punishment and all the things that have gone bad in the past,” said Abioye.
The seminar was hosted by Human Library representative Nancy Goebel and provided students the chance to ask questions about black history month.
“The seminar is a one-on-one conversation usually where people can check out a book, which is actually a person and then just ask them anything.
Abioye said the seminar is an amazing opportunity to talk about his experiences with discrimination.
The college, along with Abioye, encourages all staff and students to reach out to the Human Library program at humanlibrary.org for any further questions.