Call for Papers - Next Special Issue of The Political Librarian on Defending DEI and the Politics of Inclusion

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives are facing coordinated political attacks at every level of government. The Trump administration’s Executive Orders targeting DEI training, programming, and leadership in federal agencies such as IMLS, NEH, and NEA represent not just a bureaucratic shift but a deliberate dismantling of long-standing commitments to access, equity, and representation.

These orders, along with efforts to erase marginalized histories at institutions like the National Archives and the Smithsonian, signal a troubling turn in public policy that weaponizes neutrality and privacy to suppress identity, history, and truth.

At the state level, the rapid proliferation of anti-CRT legislation and bans on so-called “divisive concepts” has chilled speech, undermined academic freedom, and delegitimized the core values of librarianship. What began as a fringe political campaign has now been codified into law in dozens of states, creating an environment where those working in libraries, archives, and higher education are increasingly forced to choose between institutional compliance and their professional ethics.

We invite submissions to a October 2025 special issue of The Political Librarian, our journal of public policy, politics, and libraries. This special issue aims to engage with this critical and rapidly evolving political crisis that threatens the foundation of inclusive library work. The special issue will be guest edited by Dr. Nicole Cooke, the Augusta Baker Endowed Chair and a professor at the School of Library and Information Science at the University of South Carolina, and Dr. Aisha M. Johnson, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Outreach at the Georgia Institute of Technology Library. We invite scholars, practitioners, educators, and activists to examine the intersection of DEI, intellectual freedom, and privacy within the urgent context of rising authoritarianism, identity erasure, and the rollback of civil rights and civil liberties in cultural and educational institutions.

In the current political context, Kristen Antelman’s (2025) article, "Respecting the Privacy of Thought in DEI Training," published in College & Research Libraries, has attracted attention for its framing of DEI training as a potential infringement on intellectual autonomy. While the article raises important questions about privacy and thought, it also inadvertently echoes the rhetoric used to undermine collective commitments to justice. It serves as an early warning for the profession, indicating how even well-meaning academic discourse can be repurposed to justify regressive policies.

Submissions are welcome from all library professionals, educators, researchers, policy analysts, and community stakeholders. We particularly encourage work that explores:

• Critical responses to Antelman (2025) and the broader implications of the “privacy of thought” framing in DEI discourse;
• The impact of the 2025 Executive Orders on libraries, archives, and museums, and the line between institutional compliance and professional complicity;
• Historical and contemporary examples of how concepts like neutrality and privacy are used to stifle DEI initiatives and uphold dominant power structures;
• Firsthand narratives from professionals navigating DEI work in states affected by anti-CRT or anti-DEI legislation;
• The role of libraries as sites of resistance and resilience during periods of political repression;
• The evolving responsibilities of professional associations, accrediting bodies, and educational institutions in defending equity, access, and inclusion;
• Case studies of successful DEI programs in libraries and their measurable outcomes for communities and staff;
• Ethical considerations of autonomy, institutional responsibility, and solidarity in professional development and organizational change;
• The intersection of DEI and intellectual freedom: how to advance one without compromising the other in a polarized environment, and;
• Policy analyses, legal commentary, and advocacy strategies for sustaining DEI under pressure.

Submission Guidelines

Submissions of complete papers (1,500–5,000 words) are welcome and should conform to the journal's style and formatting guidelines. Authors are encouraged to consult recent issues of The Political Librarian for guidance.

To ensure the safety of authors, anonymous publication is welcome upon request. Please contact guest editors Dr. Nicole A. Cooke and Dr. Aisha M. Johnson through the site at https://journals.library.wustl.edu/pollib/contact/ to discuss this option.

Submissions will be accepted through October 1, 2025. Please submit via the journal’s submission portal, including a cover page indicating that the paper is intended for the Special Issue.

This issue is by, about, and for the people who work in libraries and those we strive to serve. All stories, whether personal, theoretical, analytical, or policy-focused are welcome. Voices from and about any population affected by these ongoing political and cultural assaults are urgently needed.