Interrupting The Civic War: Proximate History for Institutional Entrepreneurship

Abstract

Ahead of a major milestone recognizing the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, there is an effort by the Trump administration to supervise the kinds of history that can be told. This intentional endeavor to normalize revisionist historical narratives hampers the prospects of an inclusive, democratic future, anchored by a Lincolnian government by and for the people. This capstone is an account of my attempts, as a Doctoral Resident at the Netter Center for Community Partnerships, to develop a movement that energizes young people to exercise their agency to produce a future for the United States they are proud of. The Netter Center positions itself as the University of Pennsylvania’s instrument for advancing civic and community engagement. It brings university and community resources together to address issues of poverty, health disparities, and environmental sustainability. The Center fosters democratic, place-based partnerships between Penn and local communities that strengthen research, teaching, learning, and service. The first part of my strategic project uses the Netter Center’s framework of university-assisted community schools to model ways for cultural organizations to collaborate with schools, starting with the Paul Robeson House and Museum. The aim is to turn students into community leaders who use narrative history to build power with their peers and in their communities. Relying on the insights learned from these young people, I planned, financed, and began producing The People’s 250, a cultural event centered around the 250th Anniversary of the United States that promotes themes of democracy, accurate historical narrative, and artistic expression toward a collaborative future.