“Project Take a Stand” Expands Indiana Historical Society’s Collecting of African American History in Indiana

The Indiana Historical Society (IHS) is launching “Project Take a Stand: Listening to the Voices of Protest,” expanding its collecting initiative of African American history in Indiana to include issues of police brutality, systemic racism and efforts to stand up against these issues.

Hoosiers throughout the state are encouraged to send writings, photos, drawings and even short videos of recent or past events to IHS via an online form — helping IHS collect and preserve the different perspectives and experiences of protest. To submit your stories, photos and other items, please visit: indianahistory.org/stand. For information on how to send larger files, please email takeastand@indianahistory.org.

“Protests, demonstrations and uprisings have occurred throughout American history in response to various forms of oppression,” said IHS President and CEO Jody Blankenship. “From as early as 1676 through Civil Rights era of the early 20^th century to the creation of movements like Black Lives Matter, previous and recent events are critical parts of our history — important for us today and invaluable for future generations to understand ongoing patterns of racism and discrimination. Reactions via protests and demonstrations occurring throughout the state of Indiana, across the nation and around the world have the ability to result in positive societal change.”

Since 1830, the IHS has collected and preserved items that document Indiana’s past, everything from letters, diaries and scrapbooks to photographs, albums and graphics.

“History is critically important,” Blankenship said. “It has the power to unite us in our ongoing desire to build a better future. By listening, learning and striving to understand, we will continue to hold conversations about our history and how that history has shaped our current world. Without change, our state, nation and society will not be able to overcome the weight of its own violent and racist history.”

To learn more about the “Project Take a Stand: Listening to the Voices of Protest” collecting initiative, visit: indianahistory.org/stand.

The IHS is committed to being a valuable resource by documenting, preserving and sharing Indiana’s history, from all perspectives, and in all its complexity — using history to contribute to positive change and build a more inclusive and equitable society. Read more about the actions IHS plans to take, in addition to the collecting initiative, by visiting: https://rb.gy/pbptmk.

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