a challenge worth meeting

I happened to be watching CBS’ Sunday Morning
last Sunday – the show was doing a segment on
Wikipedia, the online free encyclopaedia where
the entries are all written and edited by
volunteers.  The segment went on to show a
Wikipedia convention.

All the attendees – that I saw— were white, which
left me to wonder.

Later that day I decided to do a random search on
Wikipedia.  I started with the obscure: Black
dancer Lottie “The Body” Graves, featured in the
film Standing in the Shadows of Motown. There was
an oblique reference to her but no listing. Then
I tried Raven Wilkinson – one of the first Black
ballerinas. I got nothing. I tried choreographer
John Alleyne – nothing.  I tried Jeni LeGon, the
first Black tap dancer to get a film contract.
Nothing.

This is NOT a good sign.

Now of course my area is dance so I have a bias.
But I wonder about Black scientists, Olympians,
innovators – are they being represented and if
so, is the data accurate or complete?

Thus I am emailing you – my friends and
colleagues – asking you to join me in getting
Wikipedia up to date and up to scratch.
Personally, I am committed to editing the Ballet
and Dance sections and inserting/ the following
in early 2007:

Lottie “the Body” Graves
Raven Wilkinson
Jeni LeGon
Janet Collins
Marion Cuyjet
Kevin Pugh
John Alleyne

While many rightly question the validity of
Wikipedia as a resource, the fact remains it *is*
being used as one.  Therefore the participation
of the Black community (communities) – is
important.

It is my hope that you will join me in this
project. Getting the word out is important so
feel free to post my letter (or make reference to
it) on your websites and blogs. Write an article
for wikipedia or request that one be written.
Check the subject headings and key word searches
- we may have articles that are simply not linked
correctly.

Wikipedia may be found at
http://www.wikipedia.org/ and I may be reached
at ms_m2you@yahoo.ca or at
kristine@kristinemaitland.com

Sincerely

Kristine Maitland
http://www.kmaitland.ca
Black history: ballet, burlesque and beyond

http://kristinemaitland.blogspot.com
Yeah, but that would make sense. (my blog).