The pontoon boat gracefully navigated through the murky brown waters of the Alabama River, passing the historic port of Montgomery, where enslaved Black people were once offloaded like cargo. Aboard were American and German academics, museum curators, and leaders from memorial organizations, all seeking to dive deep into the memories of a troubled past and the narratives that shape national identity.
Their journey was part of an impactful initiative titled “Building a Critical Memory: Transitioning from Denial to Collective Responsibility in Germany and the United States.” Developed by the Southern Poverty Law Center alongside various German and U.S. institutions, the project seeks to explore how different societies confront—or evade—their historical narratives.
The program kicked off earlier that year when Margaret Huang, then president and CEO of the SPLC, along with over 40 participants, traveled to Germany. Their primary goal was to understand how that nation reconciles with its own dark history, especially regarding the Nazi regime, World War II, and the Holocaust. Germany is known for its dedication to memory culture, where sites of atrocity are preserved as educational tools, and visitors are encouraged to reflect on the past.
In Germany, federal, state, and local governments work closely with private foundations to maintain numerous memorials, including concentration camps. These sites serve as haunted yet essential reminders of the harsh realities that unfolded, creating spaces for reflection and education. “You can never make up for the damage,” noted Andreas Etges, a history professor at the University of Munich, who co-organized the project. “But acknowledging and honestly recounting a nation’s history is the necessary first step toward societal healing.”
Contrastingly, in the United States, funding for Confederate monuments outnumbers memorials dedicated to the victims of slavery and racial violence. Educational curricula about slavery and the Civil War differ vastly across states, often colored by the “Lost Cause” narrative that romanticizes the antebellum era while glossing over the brutal realities faced by both free and enslaved Black individuals.
Amidst this tension, a government-backed campaign against diversity, equity, and inclusion programs has emerged. The National Museum of African American History and Culture, which provides a critical perspective on Black history, is facing threats of censorship and budget cuts. Moreover, classroom discussions on slavery are deemed “divisive” and are being restricted in some states, further complicating the educational landscape.
“The Critical Memory Project is crucial right now when there’s a concerted effort to erase history,” stated Lecia Brooks, the SPLC’s interim chief of staff. “Experiencing these historical sites firsthand makes a lasting impression that counters any attempts to deny this history.” During their Montgomery visit, the group explored the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) Legacy Museum. This museum connects the legacy of slavery and Jim Crow to current issues of mass incarceration, using art and narratives to provoke thought. Participants found themselves deeply moved, lingering in the exhibits that laid bare the emotional weight of America’s violent past.
Dagi Knellessen, a Holocaust researcher from the German Historical Museum, emphasized the emotional gravity of the visit: “This history is violent, and it’s crucial to confront that reality.” She reflected on her work examining the trials of Nazi perpetrators, noting a stark difference in the prosecution of historical injustices in both countries, particularly the enduring legacy of racial terror in America.
As they moved through various sites, including the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, which honors those lost to racial terror lynchings, attendees grappled with both the presence and absence of historical accountability in the U.S. While Germany has made strides in facing its critical past, the lingering implications of unpunished violence against Black Americans raise difficult questions about justice and memory.
In one poignant moment, Bryan Fair, interim president and CEO of SPLC, referenced Martin Niemöller’s famous statement on the dangers of silence in the face of injustice: “First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.” His words resonated as participants reflected on the urgency of collective memory in the face of contemporary challenges.
The Critical Memory Project tour also included visits to Atlanta’s historic Ebenezer Baptist Church and the striking Confederate monument at Stone Mountain Park. Their journey continued to Birmingham, where they explored sites of civil rights history, including the infamous 16th Street Baptist Church, the location of a tragic bombing that claimed four young lives.
Christine Gundermann, a public history professor in Germany, poignantly observed how often glorification of the Confederacy appears in U.S. society: “Yet, simultaneously, I witnessed a resilient resistance against this narrative, revealing Black individuals as agents of their own stories, not mere victims.” This acknowledgment of agency stands as a vital counter-narrative that enriches the conversation around history and memory.
As their exploration concluded, the group faced unexpected challenges, including an inability to tour the National Museum of African American History and Culture due to an ongoing federal government shutdown. This incident highlighted the precariousness of how history and cultural narratives are preserved and presented in contemporary society.
“The openness displayed by participants is striking, particularly in today’s atmosphere of historical denial,” Brooks said. “Many in the group are educators; their experiences here will serve to foster awareness and ensure that critical history isn’t erased in their classrooms.”
Image at top: At the Equal Justice Initiative’s Freedom Monument Sculpture Park in Montgomery, Alabama, Dorothy Davis (left) and Catherine Adams reflect on their ancestry. (Credit: Jacob Saylor)
