The Center of Southwest Studies is committed to recognizing and addressing bias and harmful content in our records, exhibitions, and collections. We acknowledge that historical resources and descriptions may contain outdated or offensive terms, stereotypes, or representations that reflect the perspectives of the time in which they were created, rather than those of the communities they depict or the Center’s current viewpoints. We also recognize the erasure of specific identities due to structural oppressions embedded in systems of power, knowledge production, and cultural representation.
Our commitment is to provide context, promote understanding, and encourage respectful engagement. To this end, we are actively working to review, update, and improve our descriptions and access points to better reflect the diverse cultures and histories represented in our collections.
We welcome feedback and collaboration to ensure our resources honor the dignity of all people and communities. If you encounter language or images that you find offensive or harmful in our catalog records, finding aids, digital object metadata, exhibits, social media, or elsewhere, please complete the form below or email CSWSMail@fortlewis.edu with a description of the questionable content.