Acclaimed Scholar-Activist Talks About His Fight Against Racism

BALLSTON SPA — Acclaimed scholar and international social justice activist Dr. James Brewer Stewart will be the featured speaker for the Saratoga County History Center’s January 2021 episode of “Experts Next Door.”

Dr. Stewart, Professor of History Emeritus at Macalester College, is one of the foremost experts on United States politics, law, and race.  His books are assigned reading in both undergraduate and graduate courses, he has appeared in several of the American Experience’s (PBS) historical documentaries, is a co-editor for Louisiana University Press’s series on “Abolition, Antislavery, and the Atlantic World,” and has spoken widely on college campuses.  Equally important, Dr. Stewart has devoted his life to combatting bigotry, racism, and slavery. 

In 2010, he founded Historians Against Slavery, an international coalition of scholars dedicated to raising awareness of modern forms of unfree labor.  In 2016, he spearheaded a national effort to save Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), starting with Tougaloo College (Jackson, MS).  Furthermore, he is the founder and director of the “Celebrate American Heroes Project,” which employs history to inspire a new generation of activists.  In 2020, he launched a national campaign against racism called “Jim Stewart’s Historical Tonic for Fragile White Folks” – a series of online videos that boldly confront 21st century white supremacy.

Stewart’s talk is entitled “From Classroom to Community,” and explores the myriad ways historians today are reaching out to the general public and pushing back against an onslaught of “fake news” and “alternative facts.”  He will also talk about his own personal experiences and his groundbreaking scholarship. 

The January episode of “Experts Next Door” is scheduled for 7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 14.  Participants need to register in advance (brooksidemuseum.networkforgood.com/events/25669-experts-next-door-episode-7) and will receive a Zoom link. 

Any questions or inquiries should be directed to Dr. Michael Landis, Public Programs Manager, Saratoga County History Center, at mlandis@brooksidemuseum.org.