“History, as nearly no one seems to know, is not merely something to be read.”

And it does not refer merely, or even principally, to the past. On the contrary, the great force of history comes from the fact that we carry it within us, are unconsciously controlled by it... and history is literally present in all that we do. … It is to history that we owe our frames of reference, our identities, and our aspirations.
— James Baldwin
1965
History is an act of citizenship
#PlainTalkHistory is building a home to host the critical history lessons of a multiracial democracy. Guided by a distinguished Board of Advisors and funded by auut studio, in 2020-2022 we will assemble here the best digital history contributed by historians and teachers Gr. 9-12. These are the deeper stories glossed over in standard textbooks (and actually more interesting). Each is packaged here ready for teachers’ use or for anyone who has an hour to spare. To rectify the narrative, these stories are often about and centered on people of color who wove the fabric that ties us all together as the people of the United States.
We celebrate many voices,
and the
joy of learning something new,
and a
respect for so many shoulders we stand on.
Develop the skills for historical inquiry:

We. Need. Your. Help.
In 2020-2021 we’re in the construction phase. We’re assembling the best on a wide range of events in U.S. History. And we need your help... join us!
how does a
Young citizen know what to believe?

Evidence.
In this photo we see the future voters of 2028. Like anyone, they have a desire to be inspired and to feel respected for the complicated world they maneuver. A modern media explosion makes both of those much noisier.
#PlainTalkHistory knows there are multiple perspectives behind the messiest historical events. Stories on this site provide many explanations of causation, and allow students to evaluate which perspectives are better supported by the evidence.

The things unsaid.
Maps tell a story. But they also can mislead, because every map makes unspoken implications about importance and control.
#PlainTalkHistory is leading the way for maps that are conscious of what’s being included AND excluded. Every element in our maps is chosen to support the story. Our cartography is multi-narrational: it recognizes that there are multiple relationships of people present on the same area of land.
Evidence.
In this photo we see the future voters of 2028. Like anyone, they have a desire to be inspired and to feel respected for the complicated world they maneuver. A modern media explosion makes both of those much noisier.
#PlainTalkHistory knows there were multiple perspectives behind the messiest historical events. Stories on this site provide many explanations of causation, and allow students to evaluate which perspectives are better supported by the evidence.
The things unsaid.
Maps tell a story. But they also can mislead, because every map makes unspoken implications about importance and control.
#PlainTalkHistory is leading the way for maps that are conscious of what’s being included AND excluded. Every element in our maps is chosen to support the story. Our cartography is multi-narrational: it recognizes that there are multiple relationships of people present on the same area of land.

we’re here asking
Two BIG questions
What makes for better citizens?
We are fascinated by stories of heroism and difficult decisions that never make it into the textbook. If these powerful lessons are missing from class discussions, it is almost certain they go missing from our national discourse.
#PlainTalkHistory exists to empower the public to be proud participants — in a nation for the people, by the people, of the people.

…What’s so great about a $10 word?
“Never use a long word where a short word will do.” Yet much of digital history is created in the academy, where sounding smart is what gets rewarded, and the audience is in the dozens.
#PlainTalkHistory thinks bigger than that — like in the 100,000s. We shine in digesting lots of information and nuance down to the essence of what is relevant, and important, and interesting.
We let historical figures introduce themselves in their own words, but otherwise we speak the language of laypeople.
What makes for better citizens?
We are fascinated by stories of heroism and difficult decisions that never make it into the textbook. If these powerful lessons are missing from class discussions, it is almost certain they go missing from our national discourse.
#PlainTalkHistory exists to empower the public to be proud participants — in a nation for the people, by the people, of the people.
What’s so great about a $10 word?
“Never use a long word where a short word will do.” Yet much of digital history is created in the academy, where sounding smart is what gets rewarded, and the audience is in the dozens.
#PlainTalkHistory thinks bigger than that — like in the 100,000s. We shine in digesting lots of information and nuance down to the essence of what is relevant, and important, and interesting.
We let historical figures introduce themselves in their own words, but otherwise we speak the language of laypeople.
we have a
WHOLE lot of heroes
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