Historiker*innen für eine demokratische Gesellschaft

Autor: Norbert Finzsch

  • Aufruf der Organization of American Historians

    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.
    On behalf of the OAH Executive Committee,

    Annette Gordon-Reed, President

    David Blight, Immediate Past President

  • Angriff auf Wissenschaftsfreiheit in den USA

    In einer Eskalation der Auseinandersetzung zwischen der Trump-Regierung und der Columbia University blockiere NIH nun die Auszahlung sämtlicher Fördermittel an die Universität, wie ScienceInsider schreibt: „In an 8 April email seen by Science, NIH’s Office of Policy for Extramural Research Administration Director Michelle Bulls told grant administrators that  HHS had initially ordered NIH to terminate the first “wave” of grants to Columbia and hold others while the school negotiated with the government. Now, she said, no NIH awards can be made to Columbia until the restriction is lifted. In 2024, Columbia received about $690 million in grant funding from NIH.“
    Science meldet auch das weitergehende Einfrieren von über die NIH an Columbia University vergebenen Forschungsmitteln, nun im Gesamtumfang von $700 Mio., und schreibt: „Last month, White House began to pressure Columbia over its handling of anti-Israel protests and other allegations of antisemitism at the university, saying it was killing $400 million in federal grants to the school, including the NIH money. NIH terminated approximately 400 grants to Columbia on 12 March and ordered their researchers to stop work on them. Yesterday, NIH raised the stakes: At the behest of its parent agency, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), NIH will not only block new funding for the university, but also stop paying investigators working on all existing NIH projects.” (Aus einer Mitteilung der DFG vom 11.April 2025)