Economic Justice and the Ethics of Public History (Part II)
NCPH 2019 Working Group Case Statement
Finding the Tools of Professional Autonomy
Public historians have no defense against strong-arm employers who advance bad history and unethical practice. In such dire cases, practitioners are forced to choose between their livelihood and their integrity. Far from uncommon, people in this vulnerable position most often suffer alone in silence – unaware of other options or people who could help them navigate such a difficult spot. As some who has been there and lost his job through it, I can say with certainty that it is a baffling, fearful, and isolating experience.*
The Professional Resources sub-group of our WG to save Public history from capitalism is working to develop possible resources to support professionals in this situation. (For example, how to go about finding legal advice or filing workplace grievances). We are beginning this work by surveying professional fields that have dealt with these same issues. Pursuing three avenues of inquiry, we are:
- Getting a handle on past and present work in NCPH around questions of ethics and public history practice.
- Identifying systems and resources that are utilized in other public humanities professions for navigating these situations. What has been done in folk lore, archeology, or art professions, for example.
- Widening our investigation to look at non-humanities labor for examples as well – hotel workers, agriculture, finance or unionized professions like teaching.
Recognizing commonalities, we will also search within these categories for means that have been developed for responding to other forms of professional coercion– including racial discrimination and sexual harassment which are commonplace.
After surveying these fields, we will come together in Hartford to discuss what we have learned and propose next steps. Stay Tuned!
*For a broader discussion of the ethical compromises that public historians face see “The Conundrum of Capitalism and Public History” which the Working Group discussion at #NCPH2018. https://ncph.org/history-at-work/the-conundrum-of-capitalism-and-public-history/