Public history resources on Ferguson

08 December 2014 – editors

Protestors demonstrating down West Florissant Ave., Ferguson, Missouri, August 15, 2014. Photo credit: Loavesofbread, Wikimedia Commons

How should public historians address Officer Darren Wilson’s killing of Michael Brown, the grand jury’s decision, and protests in Ferguson and across the country? This is a vital question many of us are discussing on Twitter, Facebook, and in person. The discussion has broadened recently to include the grand jury decision not to indict Officer Daniel Pantaleo in the July chokehold death of Eric Garner, and the Justice Department’s citation of the Cleveland Police Department for civil rights abuses.  What are the best approaches to creating public programs and exhibitions at museums and historic sites or leading classroom discussions? It’s clear that public historians have an important role to play in addressing racism, racial violence, policing, social justice, inequality, and segregation, but many of us are looking for resources to help in this process. Below is a brief round-up of links we’ve compiled about the Ferguson case.  We welcome additional resources related to the expanding discussion as well.

“Teaching #Ferguson: Connecting with Resources,” Art Museum Teaching (blog). This site includes an excellent list of links to articles and other resources, including “Teaching #Ferguson: Current Events in the Classroom Resources,” a Google doc created by @danrutka. The doc includes a good list of historical materials, beginning on page 7.

Check out the hashtag #FergusonSyllabus on Twitter for ideas on teaching about Ferguson. Here’s a storified compilation of #FergusonSyllabus tweets.

Also, check out the Twitter #museumsrespondtoFerguson.

Statement from Sam Black, President, Association of African American Museums Board of Directors.

“Ferguson, Missouri…What’s Next,” National Civil Rights Museum (blog).

Carolina A. Miranda, “After Ferguson: US museums need to show a work by Natalie Bookchin,” the Los Angeles Times online.

Strategies for holding civic conversations about Ferguson and bringing history to the discussion, from the “Facing History and Ourselves” community in Southern California.

Ferguson-related events at the Missouri History Museum, including Riot from Wrong film screening and community conversation on “Dr. King, Michael Brown, #Ferguson, and the Future of America,” led by Kevin Powell.

“Statement Regarding the Ferguson Events,” Center for Civil and Human Rights (blog).

David Montgomery, “Newseum Announces Ferguson Exhibit,” the Washington Post online, December 3, 2014.

Please contribute additional resources in the comments section.