Public History for a Post-Truth Era: Fighting Denial through Memory Movements

Public History for a Post-Truth Era explores how to combat historical denial in a post-truth era, using participatory public memory movements to grapple with human rights abuses. It provides an inside look at Sites of Conscience and hundreds of people joining forces to fight denial of Guantánamo, mass incarceration, and climate change.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 25 July 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

In the aftermath of a world where facts are increasingly questioned and unreliable, Public History for a Post-Truth Era delves into the urgent challenge of combating historical denial. This comprehensive book goes beyond traditional memorial museums and documentaries, offering a fresh perspective on engaging the public in the exploration of human rights abuses. Through captivating on-the-ground stories, it showcases participatory public memory movements that have brought people together to confront the deep roots and ongoing realities of such atrocities. The book provides an insightful look at Sites of Conscience across the globe, where memory activists are uncovering the hidden histories of places like the Soviet Gulag and the slave trade in Senegal. It then follows the inspiring journey of hundreds of individuals who unite across dozens of US cities to challenge denial of Guantánamo, mass incarceration, and climate change.

As reparations proposals gain momentum in the United States, this book serves as a valuable resource for those seeking to address historical injustices and rectify their harms. Written in accessible and non-academic language, it appeals to students, educators, and supportive citizens with an interest in public history, museums, or movement organizing. By highlighting the power of collective memory and activism, Public History for a Post-Truth Era empowers individuals to become agents of change in their communities and contribute to a more informed and just society.

Weight: 740g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032029221