Imagine a library where you can borrow a person, instead of a book. Rather than reading, you listen to the person’s life story for 30 minutes.
Imagine a library where you can borrow a person, instead of a book. Rather than reading, you listen to the person’s life story for 30 minutes.
It starts with the person’s label: Refugee. Unemployed. HIV+. Often we refuse to look past the label, though we shouldn’t — that’s just part of someone’s story.
The Human Library, a nonprofit started in Denmark, has embarked on a mission to fight against the prejudice of labels and challenge the related stigmas through personal conversations. It is a place where difficult questions are expected, appreciated and answered.
The project is now active in over 80 countries around the world.
Meet some human books defying stereotypes.
Regina
Bipolar
“I do not view being bipolar as a challenge, but rather as a condition for my life. Periodically I must take extra consideration to my health. For example, sleep is enormously essential for keeping my illness in check. If I do not sleep 8–10 hours every night, I will become ill.”
Adam
Autism (ASD)
“I find it very difficult to find love and to build relations. I wish more people would give me a bigger chance and not be so fast to cut relations. I often wonder how much the ‘autism’ is part of that. I just want to find a girl.”
Muffe
Body Mod Extreme
“I am not someone to be afraid of and I fully understand that my look can be overwhelming to some people. But then don’t be shy, come on over and ask me. I am not going to bite.”
