Daniel Drolet writes…
A lot of the real work of Congress is taking place quietly, in the classrooms of Carleton University. That’s where many of the sessions are held. At those sessions, the academics at Congress present their latest work to colleagues in what is inevitably a real exchange of information. The topics, of course, can be very narrowly focused and therefore not necessarily of interest to the general public. On the other hand, the people who do attend these sessions are very interested – and very knowledgeable.
I thought I should look in one some of those sessions. I chose one called Sex, Archives and Authority. Why? Well, why not?
The three people presenting were Steven Maynard, a social historian from Queen’s University; Gary Kinsman, from the Department of Sociology at Laurentian; and Patrizia Gentile, an assistant professor in Women’s and Gender Studies at Carleton.
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Would the discussion be so narrowly focused as to be uninteresting?
It’s wasn’t. In fact, it was quite the opposite. I got to observe a fascinating discussion among committed and involved people about the roles and uses of archives and archival material, and how authorities (in particular the police) deal with requests for archival material involving sex.
I heard about frustrations, and I heard about how various researchers have tried – sometimes successfully – to overcome legal and other obstacles placed in their way by some archives who perceive their mandate to be the collection of information, not making it available to the public.
All of this is not something I think about every day – but these people have. Dr. Maynard, for example, related his frustrations with trying to obtain historical reports from the Toronto police morality squad through the Toronto Police Museum.
Those difficulties raise issues of how we deal with issues that are a perceived threat to national security – and are relevant today for issues of post-911 terrorism.
In other words, the debate – though focused – was relevant to broader issues.
While the debate was going on, I took a moment to have a quick look at the people around me.
A few observations:
First off, they looked relaxed. No one was in a hurry to dash off somewhere, and everyone looked interested.
The group was a mix of men and women, younger and older, and the standard uniform seemed to be jeans, though attire ranged from tie-and-jacket through to T-shirts with political slogans. (“We are all Palestinians,” said one.)
At the end of the talks, there were pointed questions and informed answers. And then everyone went on their way – presumably to another session.
Legong: I know I am replying to this pathetic, racist statement a little late and the whole ignorant rant probably doesn’t even deserve a reply. Wanhenglo, if we were all to generalise about...
Legong: I know I am replying to this pathetic, racist statement a little late and the whole ignorant rant probably doesn’t even deserve a reply. Wanhenglo, if we were all to generalise about...
Sky Goodden: This is startling, refreshing, overdue, and damn good. Thank you, Shary.
Mark: It’s not just in Canada, it seems all over artists don’t get the local recogtnition they should. I was in Malaga where Picasso was born and it is much different, but then he is...
Seenloitering: The “gender analysis” in this article is upside down. Marie Calloway is a threat to the status quo because she threatens the myth that women are morally superior, above...
Jefry: I do not really like to read a story like a novel or a real story but I think this is very interesting and need to be read
Guest: I didn’t want babies or a period any more. I KNEW without a doubt I did not want children so I had been asking for a hysterectomy since I was 19. I finally got it at 39. My...
Djzklj: Pretty interesting article, despite that I don’t wanna make a voyage there
Sanyo Seiki: I love this game! Very addicted! Sanyo Seiki
Anonymous: People are so disconnected from reality these days, it seems like the only thing that matters to them is materialism and celebrity gossip, disgusting! http://poemti.me