Why History Matters in an Age of Polycrisis

On Thursday, March 6, at 6 p.m., the Wende Museum will launch the Meyer and Renee Luskin Public History Program at the Wende with a thought-provoking conversation on the role of history in shaping how we address today’s most urgent problems.

Wende Museum Founder and Executive Director Justin Jampol will be joined by David N. Myers, Distinguished Professor of History at UCLA and the director of the Luskin Center for History and Policy, for an illuminating discussion on public history—how we collectively engage with the past to help make sense of the present. In an era defined by what some call a “polycrisis” of entangled geopolitical, economic, and ecological disruptions, historical perspective is more essential than ever. Together, Jampol and Myers will explore the ways history can help us navigate complexity, challenge dominant narratives, and foster informed activism.

About the Speakers:

Justin Jampol is the Founder and Executive Director of the Wende Museum. A scholar of Cold War visual culture, Jampol has dedicated his career to uncovering and preserving artifacts that tell alternative histories of 20th-century geopolitics. His innovative approach to public history—merging art, archives, and community engagement—has made the Wende Museum a global model for rethinking how museums interact with the past.

David N. Myers is a Distinguished Professor of History at UCLA and the director of the Luskin Center for History and Policy and the UCLA Initiative to Study Hate. A leading scholar of Jewish history, he has authored six books and edited thirteen, including The Stakes of History: On the Use and Abuse of Jewish History for Life. His research spans intellectual and cultural history, with a focus on how historical narratives shape identity, politics, and social movements.

About the Meyer and Renee Luskin Public History Program at the Wende:

This series is made possible through the extraordinary generosity of Meyer and Renee Luskin, visionary philanthropists whose support has advanced groundbreaking research and community engagement across Los Angeles and beyond. Through their commitment to education, policy innovation, and public history, the Luskins have transformed institutions such as UCLA, where the Luskin Center for History and Policy is pioneering efforts to apply historical analysis to contemporary challenges. Their dedication to fostering knowledge and civic dialogue ensures that history remains a vital resource in shaping a more just and informed society.

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