A Participatory Session in Ugly History: Exposing It, Confronting It, and Navigating the Experience

Abstract

What should we do when we discover potentially difficult or embarrassing information about our institutions, or about powerful individuals in the course of our work? How should the archives and other cultural heritage institutions navigate the politically charged effort to diversify the narrative of remembrance? Are there emerging best practices for contributing insight to institutional discussions on culturally sensitive topics? What is the responsibility of the archivist to the historical record vis a vis the responsibility to protect their institution? Newly discovered evidence of the unsavory has the potential to come to light through our activities; through description of collections, through digitization of historic media, and through harvesting of electronic communications. These histories may be unearthed by researchers as well. This proposed participant driven session will engage attendees in discussing several cases where archives have found themselves with the power to have an impact in the shaping of cultural memory. Two archivists will lead attendees in an open and free exploration of their experiences and then invite participants to add their own stories. Ultimately, we hope to find common practices that stay true to our professional obligations. From Auburn University, Greg Schmidt, Special Collections Librarian will share the story of discovering and eventually releasing evidence that would embarrass the institution and the current Governor of Alabama. In Auburn’s case, archival staff discovered an audio recording where the current Governor was identified as admitting to wearing blackface in college (1967); something she had previously denied. From Florida State University, Sandra Varry, Heritage & University Archivist will discuss the effort at Florida State to address expressions of white supremacy on the campus through her work in supporting the Presidential Advisory Panel on Namings and Recognitions. The events and activities surrounding the panel brought to light both new evidence of beginnings of the institution and new questions and challenges in creating and supporting an accurate and inclusive university history.