This week was disrupted by Hurricane Zeta, which made landfall the evening of October 28 and moved quickly through southeast Louisiana and the coast of Mississippi. Having just reviewed disaster preparedness in my archival theory course, I have been thinking about the good fortune we have had in the weather immediately following the storm. Strong winds downed power lines, with many customers still without power going into this week. Low temperatures likely saved many libraries and special collections without power from the characteristic humidity. Mitigating damage due to floods would be difficult in such a situation, where power loss over multiple days would prevent the use of fans, and blocked roadways could potentially delay access. Staff responding to such a disaster would also be dealing with their own losses, and mitigation services would be in high demand. While natural disasters happen in every region, the potential loss from a hurricane would be significant.
Before losing power and internet access, I began researching Hinds Community College. I also received communications with Delta State University, which have resulted in networking and partnership opportunities. I have been excited by the community support at a few Mississippi institutions for higher learning, even when archival and special collections have lacked LGBTQ+ resources. My experiences during this practicum reinforce my certainty at the importance of the work IHP is doing in the southern states to uncover and preserve LGBTQ historical resources. Whether from lack of a collection plan or oversight in archival description, finding LGBTQ resources in Mississippi repositories has been a difficult venture. Finding archival professionals, professors, scholars, and campus resources and groups that point to a growing network of support for the LGBTQ community has been the highlight of this project.
I hope to continue research and advocacy for the inclusion of LGBTQ resources after this internship ends, and I am convinced there is so much work to be done.