| Dear Members of OAH,
Now more than ever, the teaching, study, and presentation of American history is at a tipping point. We understand these are contentious and even frightening times. Yet several members approached us in Chicago at the Annual Conference and asked, “What can I do?”
We take heart in the strength and resilience of our members and institutions and the urge to defend and advocate for history in the broadest and most unified sense—as a profession, but more importantly as an educational and social necessity in a democratic society.
Alongside OAH’s ongoing advocacy, if you are or will be planning to host a panel, a lecture, or an event at your local public library or any other civic institution please share it with us at OAH so that we can amplify your efforts on our social media, and beyond. If feasible, we encourage you to schedule a discussion at your local bookstore or at a friend or colleague’s home, reach out to other local institutions that might sponsor an event, write an op-ed or letter to the editor and send to your local newspapers, reach out to a favorite podcast to suggest the assault on U.S. history as an episode topic, and contact your representatives at all levels of government.
Discussing and speaking out on the current crisis caused by the Trump administration’s assault on historians, museums, the National Park Service, the National Archives, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Fulbright program, the Smithsonian, and many other elements inside and outside the federal government that are important to our community of historians, to our locales and states, and to our nation can make a real difference.
We encourage you to stay engaged with local efforts in support of higher education and the study of history, to consider participating in events, initiatives or days of action happening on your campus or in your area, and to continue to participate in OAH’s member forums. In addition, we encourage you to share your advocacy on social media and with colleagues in your network, with the hashtag #DefendHistory and #OAH so that OAH can amplify your advocacy and outreach.
Thank you for your continued dedication, and for your voice, your action, and your advocacy. |
