Historians in the present tense

Christian Century, April 3, 2007

HISTORIANS IN THE PRESENT TENSE: By a three-to-one ratio, members of the American Historical Association expressed their opposition to the Iraq War and urged a speedy conclusion to it. The resolution was first passed at the AHA annual convention in January, but due to the "instrinsic importance" of the resolution and low attendance at the convention, an online discussion of the resolution was held in February, concluding with an online vote in March.

About 15 percent of the group's membership participated in the vote. Some members argued that, while it was appropriate for them to take a stand on political issues that have a direct bearing on their profession--such as restricting foreign scholars due to heightened security measures--it wasn't the place of historians to take a stand against the war (insiderhighered.com, March 13).