Statements on the History of Racial Violence in the United States
The NIU Department of History endorses the American Historical Association's March 2021 statement deploring the recent incidents of violence and harassment aimed at Asians and Asian Americans. This hostility against particular groups because of their ethnic origins — expressed via cultural stereotypes, scapegoating, physical aggression and bloodshed — has deep roots in our nation's past. To stem this persistent form of inequity and hate, we would do well to understand its history.
The NIU Department of History also endorses the American Historical Association's June 2020 statement urging a reckoning with the United States' deplorable record of violence against Black Americans, a record that stretches back centuries. The killing of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers stands within this sordid national tradition of racial violence. It is past time for Americans to confront our nation's past, using insights from history to inform our actions as we work to create a more just society.
Our Contributions to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiatives
- Teaching about the history of race, racism, and anti-racism is central to the department's mission. Dozens of history courses at all levels of study contribute directly to NIU's Human Diversity baccalaureate requirement.
- The history major, as well as the History M.A. and Ph.D. programs, prioritize the study of diverse peoples and places in the human past, requiring students to take coursework that engages them with the histories of multiple world regions.
- Our faculty work closely with — and oftentimes lead — the central hubs on campus for expanding diversity in the curriculum and supporting Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) students and other underrepresented groups. We contribute courses and other programming every semester to the Center for Black Studies, Center for Latino and Latin American Studies, Center for Southeast Asian Studies, and Center for the Study of Women, Gender and Sexuality.
- Many of our faculty members conduct vital research on the history of race and racism, both in the United States and on the global stage. Their publications and public history projects are on the cutting edge of historical knowledge-making about how racial injustices are perpetuated and challenged over time.
- Our faculty and students are on-campus leaders in working to make NIU a more inclusive and equitable campus. Recent examples include:
- In collaboration with the English department faculty, Professor Natalie Joy is developing a land acknowledgment statement for the university and increasing awareness of Native Americans on campus and in the region.
- Professor Ismael Montana serves as chair of the NIU Department of History Faculty Senate's Ad Hoc Committee on Social Justice.
- Professors Beatrix Hoffman and Kristin Huffine co-founded Faculty Advocates for Undocumented Students at NIU.
- Professor Christina Abreu spearheaded "Voces of the Pandemic," an oral history project that preserved the experiences of the Latinx community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Professor Eric Hall co-led a webinar on allyship for MAC coaches and serves on the Athletic Department's Diversity Integration Committee.
- M.A. student Anna Henderson represents the department on the university's Anti-racism Collective.
Our Ongoing Work to Improve
- In 2018, the History Department created an Equity Task Force (ETF) to improve the department's climate for underrepresented student groups. The ETF carried out a climate survey among undergraduate majors and minors in 2019-2020 and continues to implement action items based on its findings.
- The ETF advises the department on inclusion and anti-racist best practices and organizes events such as faculty brown bags on equity in the classroom.
- We are committed to prioritizing diversity in hiring and fostering diversity in our graduate programs by eliminating the GRE requirement for M.A. and Ph.D. programs.
- We are committed to improving mentoring and alumni connections for BIPOC students.
- We are committed to continually improving our pedagogy to make classrooms more inclusive and curricula more explicitly anti-racist.
How You Can Help Support Equity and Inclusion
- Current history undergraduates and graduate students can participate in the work of the Equity Task Force. Contact Professor Eric Hall if interested.
- We welcome input and ideas from students and alumni. Send your thoughts to the History Chair Valerie Garver.
- Donate to support scholarships and prizes in the History Department. These awards help encourage diversity and support students with financial needs.