By Jonathan Morales

September 05, 2024

As Americans look ahead to an election that will determine who will become their 47th president, Sacramento State’s Department of History is encouraging them also to look to the past.

The department will sponsor two free panel discussions that will tap into the expertise of University History faculty to illuminate issues facing voters in the 2024 presidential election.

The first, “Election 2024: History Lessons for an Unprecedented Age,” takes place Sept. 11. The second, “Fascism and Authoritarianism in Global Historical Perspective,” will be held Oct. 2.

The events are part of an ongoing series, “Historical Perspectives on America in Crisis.” Professor of History Mona Siegel said the series began in 2017 in response to “the radicalization and shift in political rhetoric that began as early as the 2016 cycle and has only amplified since then.”

“We don’t just run panels in election years,” she said. “But we feel it’s our particular responsibility to gear these panels toward questions that students, faculty and the campus community have as they’re making important decisions about who they’re going to vote for.”

The discussions are nonpartisan and focus on themes rather than specific individuals. But Siegel said historical context is critical to understanding present challenges.

She used immigration – both illegal and legal – as an issue that can best be considered while applying a historical context.

“How has immigration shifted over time, and how can past approaches perhaps guide our perspective about what’s needed in the future?” Siegel asked. “That can help all of us make decisions on that issue and many others.”

The first event will focus primarily on American history, and how it can explain modern issues such as immigration, veteran affairs, transgender rights and the labor movement. Panelists will include Sac State History faculty Aaron Jackson, Rebekkah Mulholland, Maria Quintana and Khal Schneider.

The second event will take a global perspective, highlighting how historical fascism and authoritarianism can help voters understand an election that is often framed, the department says, “as an existential battle for the future of democratic governance.” History faculty Clarissa Ibarra and Michael Vann will participate alongside David Do Paço, an academic cooperation attaché with the French Embassy and the arts organization Villa Albertine.

“Unfortunately, we live in an age that values the present over the past, and that does not always give as much credence as it should to how much an informed knowledge of history can really contribute to an informed citizenry,” Siegel said. “This is a real opportunity for people to take advantage of the deep knowledge we have right here on our campus to better understand the contemporary issues we’re facing in this election cycle.”

Both panel discussions are open to the public, and Siegel encourages the Sacramento community to take advantage of the opportunity to learn from Sac State’s faculty experts.

“I hope, first of all, that they feel motivated to vote, that they understand the stakes in this election, and second, that they feel more confident that they’re in a position to make an informed choice themselves about the positions candidates support.”

For more information about the events, including location and times, visit the History department Facebook page.