The blame game associated with the Covid-19 pandemic is nothing new. Xenophobia, ethnic scapegoating, and racial fault have long been associated with communicable diseases. Drawing on museum collections, speakers will explore the history of government leaders, the media, and the public at large blaming immigrants and underserved communities for epidemics, and will discuss how to break this pattern for the future.
Moderated by: Alexandra Lord, Ph. D., National Museum of American History
Panelists: Erika Lee, Ph.D.,University of Minnesota; Natalia Molina, Ph.D., University of Southern California; Theodore Gonzalves, Ph.D., National Museum of American History
The presentation is free, but registration is required.
The National Museum of American History is launching an engaging series of talks through February 2021 that combine questions raised by the current pandemics and historic objects in the national collections. Curators and historians will virtually share objects, using them as a springboard for a lively discussion that explores how the past can help us better understand the present. Audience members will have the opportunity to pose questions and help guide the conversations. The format will be a moderated dialogue among the panelists with the audience posing additional questions.
All Pandemic Perspective discussions will be held from 4:00-5:00pm eastern time. All events are free and registration is required.
This program is brought to you in partnership with the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History
