Community Care | Games & Journaling

As archivists, we are not just keepers of the past but also witnesses to the ongoing evolution of history. In the midst of a rapidly changing political landscape, the role of the archivist takes on new meaning, especially when it comes to personal reflection and processing of the events that unfold before us. This blog offers a space to find strength and solace as we navigate the complexities of our current moment.

ROLE-PLAYING GAMES

In a world where reality often feels stranger than fiction, we present How to Survive a Tyrant, a role-playing game where players face the challenge of surviving and strategizing under an authoritarian regime. The Archivist, one of several “character classes,” is tasked with preserving historical truth against oppressive forces. The game seeks to engage and educate while providing a sense of agency and empowerment. Produced and available on DriveThru RPG.

JOURNAL

While documenting unfolding events is essential to our role as collection caretakers, casual journaling can be a deeply therapeutic complement. In just a few sentences a day, it provides a personal space to process and reflect on the history we are living through. Here’s my current favorite.

By engaging in these reflective activities within our personal spaces, archivists can continue to shape the way we interact with and understand the world around us. As we navigate the evolving political landscape, the archival profession remains essential in connecting past, present, and future. Let us remember that even within our own spaces, we are participants in the larger narrative we are so diligently working to record and preserve.