Public History as Resistance: A 10-Point Guide

Public history has never been neutral, nor should it be. Authoritarians know this. They manipulate the past to justify the present and shape the future, erasing inconvenient truths and amplifying myths that bolster their power. In the face of these distortions, public history must not merely document resistance—it must be resistance.

As public historians, we carry a profound responsibility: to disrupt the narratives that sanitize oppression, whitewash violence, and reduce history to comfortable myths. This is not about creating “balanced” accounts or pretending that all perspectives are equally valid. It is about fidelity to the truth and accountability to the people whose lives have been shaped—and often broken—by the forces of history.

Resistance, in the context of public history, means refusing to allow heritage to become a weapon. It means centering the voices of the oppressed, exposing the full complexity of the past, and holding heritage institutions to the highest ethical standards. It also means understanding that everything we do is inherently political, because history shapes power.

Inspired by Timothy Snyder’s On Tyranny and Jason Stanley’s work, and grounded in principles of fidelity and accountability, this guide outlines ten ways public history can resist the authoritarian turn. Let this be a reminder that public history is never a retreat into the past—it is a fight for the future.

1. Defend the Truth

History is the backbone of truth. Challenge lies, propaganda, and historical distortions wherever they appear. Public history must actively debunk myths, especially those that enable authoritarian narratives, such as the patriot myth or the sanitized version of American slavery.

2. Beware the Power of Symbols

Authoritarians often appropriate historical symbols to legitimize their power. Public historians must expose the real histories behind flags, monuments, and cultural icons to dismantle their misuse and reframe their meanings with honesty.

3. Amplify Marginalized Voices

Resist authoritarianism by centering the stories of those oppressed by historical systems of power. Highlight enslaved people, Indigenous nations, immigrants, women, and others whose voices have been suppressed to challenge narratives that reinforce inequity.

4. Call Out Revisionism

Stand firm against efforts to whitewash or manipulate history. Challenge policies that sanitize textbooks, deny historical atrocities, or celebrate figures who upheld systems of oppression. Public history must advocate for accountability in historical interpretation.

5. Foster Critical Engagement

Encourage the public to ask hard questions and recognize bias in historical narratives. Public historians must teach audiences to think critically about history and its relevance to contemporary struggles for justice.

6. Localize Resistance

Make public history about where people live. Work with local communities to uncover and share the history of their streets, neighborhoods, and regions. Authoritarians thrive on a loss of connection—public history restores those roots.

7. Stay Visible

Authoritarianism erases opposition by silencing dissent. Public historians must speak up in digital spaces, public programming, museums, and schools, ensuring that their work reaches as many people as possible.

8. Resist “Normalizing” Heritage

When institutions prioritize comfort over confrontation, they enable authoritarianism. Call out sites, museums, and projects that celebrate “heritage” at the expense of justice, fidelity, and accountability.

9. Protect Democratic Spaces

Authoritarians often undermine public spaces where history and dialogue thrive. Fight for the preservation and accessibility of archives, museums, libraries, and public forums. These are vital to sustaining informed resistance.

10. Remember the Stakes

History teaches us that authoritarian regimes are fragile, but their consequences can last generations. Public history must consistently remind people of the cost of inaction by connecting past struggles with present crises and future possibilities.

By treating public history as an act of resistance, historians ensure that the past becomes a weapon for justice rather than a tool for oppression.