Archival Anecdotes
Research articles, theories, and other archival projects I’m currently working on.
About: The exploration of queer history within institutional archives reveals a pervasive lack of accessibility to queer identities and experiences. This article examines the harmful legacy of "archival neutrality" in categorization processes, particularly focusing on erasure perpetuated against Black, Indigenous, immigrant, disabled, and queer communities. The study investigates how current archival practices uphold systems of dehumanization, hindering the discovery of inclusive narratives. Using the case study of the Lorraine Hansberry Papers, it demonstrates how restricted access to materials related to Hansberry's queer identity obstructed comprehensive historical understanding for over 50 years. By advocating for a "queering" of archival practices through the lens of queer theory, particularly emphasizing a queer of color perspective, this research proposes a shift away from traditional linear storytelling approaches to cataloging history. Embracing an "active archivist" approach, it encourages archival professionals to reject neutrality and passivity, thereby contributing to the creation of more inclusive and accurate historical records.