Sterling Heights CommUNITY Alliance to Host Human Library Event

The Sterling Heights CommUNITY Alliance will host the Human Library on Wednesday, April 17 from 6-9 p.m. at the Sterling Heights Public Library Programming Center. The public is encouraged to attend this free event that includes light food and refreshments, raffles and giveaways.

The goal of the Human Library is to strengthen understanding and kindness in our community by helping residents "unjudge" someone through one-on-one conversation. People who someone may not normally talk to in their daily lives are "published" as open books for conversations about their unique life experiences.

Human books can be "checked out" for 30-minute conversations one-on-one, or with a maximum of 2-3 readers at a time. Readers are encouraged to engage in curious and courageous conversations with the human books, and all questions are expected, appreciated and answered. At this year's event, the following human "books" will be available for checkout:

• Autism/Asperger's
• Muslim Woman
• Transgender
• Physical Disability
• Asian American Immigrant
• Long-term Addiction Recovery
• Transnational Adoptee

"This program really embodies the spirit of empathy and inclusion that are part of our community's core values," said Sterling Heights Mayor Michael Taylor. "By checking out human books, we give ourselves the chance to learn, build compassion and break down barriers. I hope our residents take this opportunity to come out and broaden their perspectives by learning from the collective stories of our community."

"If we don't open ourselves up to the perspectives of others, we don't learn and grow as a human race, but it's not always easy engaging with others who seem very different than us," said CommUNITY Alliance Chair Cindy Bjornson. "The Human Library gives people the chance to have that engagement in a safe space where honest conversations occur, and learning happens."

The Human Library is an idea that was formed in Copenhagen, Denmark in 2000 and is now available in more than 80 countries. This is the second annual Human Library for the Sterling Heights CommUNITY Alliance, and the only Human Library to ever be held in Macomb County.

Free registration for the Human Library event is available at: bit.ly/3PBUy62