Here’s why authoritarians go after historians and journalists

This article originally appeared at Baptist News Global on August 8, 2025.

“Those that don’t know any history think everything is an overreaction right now. Those that do know history think everything is an underreaction right now.” These were the words posted recently on Threads by medical physicist and musician Benito Thompson. To which Jemar Tisby replied, “As a historian, I approve this message.”

As a journalist, I also approve this message. It hints at one of the most fundamental keys to saving our democracy from the grips of authoritarianism — the relationship between historians and journalists.

Historians tell the stories of our past. They inform us how we got here.

Journalists tell the stories of our present. They inform us of what’s going on.

In a sense, historians tell us about how the tree grew and what kind of tree it is, while journalists tell us about the fruit it’s producing.

Being aware of both our past and our present is important for creating a well-informed perspective and for processing how we should respond to events today.

But authoritarians don’t want us to know our past or our present. They don’t want us to recognize how these patterns have played out in our past because they’re afraid it will help us recognize what they’re doing and taking from us today. Authoritarians want full control of the narrative so they can have full control of power without anyone second-guessing what they feel entitled to do.

So, it makes sense the Trump administration would work so tirelessly to erode trust in historians and journalists.

One of the ways they do this is by making fun of us as overreacting.

Continue reading at Baptist News Global.