Historians in the News

Verónica Martínez-Matsuda on Her New Book, Migrant Citizenship

"[Farm Security Administration officials and migrant farm laborers] argued that real democracy resulted not only from migrants’ full enfranchisement but also from their daily participation as citizens (regardless of formal status) in a political and social community characterized by collective responsibility and behavior."

'They Were Always There': The Power Of Including Indigenous Perspectives

If Kiara Vigil wanted to learn more about her family's past and their tribes' roles in United States history, she understood she'd have to seek it out herself.

Sen. Tom Cotton Wants to Take ‘The 1619 Project’ out of Classrooms. His Efforts Have Kept it in the Spotlight

Senator Cotton's comments ignited a war of words on social media Sunday; historians including John Kaminski and Joshua D. Rothman weigh in. 

At 88, He is a Historical Rarity — the Living Son of a Slave

Although the one-generation link between Dan Smith and his formerly enslaved father is remarkable, historian Hilary Green reminds readers that the time passed since Emancipation is still relatively short. 

Clash of the Historians: Paper on Andrew Jackson and Trump Causes Turmoil

A paper accusing scholars of “historical malpractice” upended an academic society and stirred arguments about racism, history and the limits of debate.    

Large DNA Study Traces Violent History of American Slavery

Historian Alondra Nelson praised the application of genetics to narrating the history of the slave trade, but cautioned that historians should be an integral part of any project making claims about human ancestry.

American Exceptionalism Was Our Preexisting Condition

Historian Elizabeth Tandy Shermer notes that the current crisis has forced her to reexamine the questions she encourages her survey US history students to answer. The tension between Trump and state governors harkens back to the crisis that led to the Civil War. 

Historian on the Antidemocratic Reality of the Confederacy (video)

Columbia University history professor Stephanie McCurry joined CBSN to discuss how the history of the Confederacy was rewritten over the years to obscure its oppressive and antidemocratic reality.

Federal Forces Have Gone Into U.S. Cities Before. Why This Time Is Different

“The idea of bringing in troops or law enforcement in its many forms to quell civilian protest is as American as apple pie — it is foundational to this nation,” said Heather Ann Thompson, a historian at the University of Michigan.

How Can Local Government Address Systemic Racism?

Peniel Joseph, one of the nation’s leading civil rights scholars, has studied and written about the history of race and democracy. He has some ideas on how cities and urban areas can begin to dismantle racism.

Wearing A Face Mask Is Not New - But The Backlash Against Them Is, Say Historians

"The striking thing about 1941 is that there was no debate or controversy between the scientists and the government, there was just rapid agreement that this made sense and it wasn't costly," said Dr Jesse Olszynko-Gryn.

Row Over 'Misrepresentation' Of Slavery In UK Citizenship Test (Agence France Presse)

Nearly 200 historians on Wednesday denounced what they said was the "misrepresentation of slavery and empire" in the history section of Britain's citizenship test, calling for it to be corrected.

Historians blast BBC for ‘unbalanced’ News At Ten report on Churchill

Historians have criticised a BBC News report on Tuesday about Churchill’s role in the Bengal Famine, which killed three million people in 1943 and 1944. The report arguably blamed Churchill's racism without considering other material factors that lead to 3 million deaths. 

Adjunct Professors: Jobs Are Low on Pay and Health Benefits With High COVID Risk

If colleges move forward with in-person instruction for the coming semester, adjunct professors will likely play a greater role in teaching students in the classroom. But they often have little institutional support — in terms of health insurance or other benefits — even during this public health crisis.

Historian Daina Ramey Berry on Injustice: People Are ‘Fed Up'

"Social justice means that all human beings are given equal opportunities that are evenly distributed and certain groups are not allowed privileges denied to others," said Berry.

The Long History of How Jesus Came to Resemble a White European

No one knows exactly what Jesus looked like, and there are no known images of him from his lifetime. Art history professor Anna Smartwood House writes about the complicated history of the images of Christ and how historically they have served many purposes.

This One Letter In A Textbook Could Change How Millions Of Kids Learn About Race

Albert Broussard is a history professor and a textbook writer for McGraw Hill. Broussard plans to capitalize the b in Black in the most recent revision of a middle and high school history textbook.

When Monuments Become the Narrative (review)

"Leopold’s Legacy" by Oliver Leu is the most timely of books. It details how Belgian monuments to empire sustain narratives that abdicate responsibility, divert blame, and ultimately deny Belgium’s role in the mutilation and murder of millions of people.

The History of Black Women and Internationalism (Review)

by Robert Greene II

A new collected volume examines international connections between women activists in the African diaspora. 

Russian Historian Jailed In Controversial Sex Abuse Case

In May, more than 150 Russians, including artists, actors and writers wrote an open letter to the court in support of the historian, saying they were "sure the accusations… are unfair and should be dismissed by the court".