In the fall of 2020, historian Ed Ayers wrote these words in response to the 1776 Commission, and five years later, they still ring true:

"How might we engage historians, K12 educators, and elected officials in productive dialogues based on “real patriotism, of true love of country — an effort to interpret our nation’s history guided not by blind defense, but by hard-won clarity and commitment to share the freedom of our nation more broadly and more equitably, ...to explore injustice to lessen injustice?”

This experimental session could be the starting point.

A collective discussion among historians, educators, graduate students, and other participants will first explore lessons learned by the session leaders, including representation from K12, 2 and 4-year institutions of higher learning, a local school board member, and educators leading this work via professional organizations, and digital humanities projects supporting learning communities across the country.

Examples of ways instructors might bridge the widening divide between red and blue to find our way back to purple will be shared and discussed, and participants will receive curated resources based on the discussion, ready for classroom use to share in their own communities.

Regional breakout discussions will be moderated and documented, with all participants receiving access to session notes for further collaboration and exploration.