that’s just weird
A library in Holland is lending out people, as well as books, in a new initiative aimed at challenging stereotypes.
People can borrow gay people, gipsies and Muslims for an hour and talk to them about their lives, reports Nu.nl.
Jan Krol, director of the public library, in Almelo, said one of his assistants came up with the idea.
He added: “It’s a good way to challenge stereotypes. Clients can lend out a Muslim woman in a head scarf and ask her the questions they wouldn’t dare to if they met on the street.”
The library has contacted ten people from different backgrounds who are willing to have a chat with library visitors in a pub near the library.
such measures really make me wonder about the kind of world we’re living in…especially since even to me, it actually doesn’t seem like such a terrible idea.
for some reason, this reminds me of “the whore of mensa“, a short story by woody allen. if you’ve read it, you’d remember that men used to buy time with “prostitutes” who could stimulate them mentally.
well, in a way, now you CAN rent out people who will stimulate you mentally, by telling you about their experiences and lives and thereby, perhaps ridding you of your biases and broadening your views.
like i said, that’s just fucking weird.
and perhaps much needed.
p.s: i had to change the title for the post from “fucking weird” to just weird because my stupid service provider BLOCKED the page, because the word “fucking” was in the url.
bastards.
