We are writing as teachers and researchers of German language, culture, politics and history to express our solidarity with colleagues in the United States, whose freedom to teach, research and publish is coming under increasing attack from the administration of President Trump. We have been following with alarm the exercise of ideological control over access to research funding, the purging of books from libraries on spurious grounds, the revocation of student visas for ideological reasons, and attacks on the autonomy of universities.
We also express our support for colleagues and students whose work is defined by the administration (falsely) as falling under “DEI”, and which is the focus of attacks on supposed “wokeness” in scholarship and education. We note that this is a direct attack on freedom of scholarship, teaching and learning, as well as representing a backlash against civil rights, liberation, inclusion and equity more generally. We acknowledge the stance taken by organisations such as the British Association for American Studies in refusing to ‘remove criteria or goals relating to equality, diversity or inclusion’ from its grant programme: we fully support this position and will not compromise on these issues (see the BAAS declaration: https://baas.ac.uk/funding/baas-us-embassy-small-grants-programme/).
Teaching and research inspired by feminist, queer and antiracist thought and pedagogies, as well as research and learning on historical and cultural topics inspired by these approaches, have challenged and enriched our work and society by bringing to light aspects of the history and culture of the German-speaking world that would otherwise have remained hidden. Whatever our individual approaches to research and teaching, we stand together with colleagues and students affected by this politically motivated backlash. Our organisations, and any conferences and events that we are responsible for, will continue to be open to research and pedagogy in all areas of German studies, employing all critical methodologies, and welcoming all scholars willing to further knowledge.
While understanding that the situation is complex and the pressures are real, we have been disappointed at the unwillingness of some universities to defend their students and staff and to assert the right to freedom of expression, research and teaching on their campuses.
We also acknowledge that this is an international struggle and will endeavour to build networks across borders with colleagues affected by attacks on their freedom and the backlash against specific methods, topics and pedagogies. We hope that the attention of international scholarly organisations may help to discourage any ‘pre-emptive obedience’ in the face of pressure.
Prof. Peter Davies (AGS President) and Dr. Christiane Schönfeld, MRIA (Chair of W+IGS)