Member Login
Search

AAHN supports AHA's statement on the history of racial violence in the U.S.

Dear AAHN Colleagues, Members and Friends,

The American Association for the History of Nursing stands with the American Historical Association in calling for a reckoning of this country's "deplorable record of violence against African Americans."  The AAHN Board of Directors has voted to join as a signatory on the American Historical Association's Statement on the History of Racial Violence in the U.S.:  https://www.historians.org/news-and-advocacy/aha-advocacy/aha-statement-on-the-history-of-racist-violence-in-the-united-states-(june-2020) 
Earlier this month, Andre Rosario and the Diversity and Inclusion Committee prepared a statement, which Arlene Keeling circulated in her President's letter, that calls attention to our particular responsibilities as nursing and healthcare historians. We include that statement here as a reminder of the AAHN's commitment to undertake this critical work:

"Under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer, George Floyd died, reminding Black and African American people across the country of the racism that continues to impact these communities.

As an organization committed to the study of history, we ask our members to consider how the history of racism and injustice has enacted trauma on Black and African American people across the country. This legacy of pain is one that many cannot separate themselves from.

We recognize the privilege many of us might enjoy—the privilege of being able to look away from circumstances that others cannot escape. Instead, we challenge ourselves to center our attention on the voices of the communities impacted. We take political action in order to advocate for these communities and for leaders and policies that promote justice. We care for our colleagues, our students, and our patients for whom these events have caused pain. We urge leaders in academia and in nursing to do the same."

In solidarity,

AAHN Board of Directors