We're now on the second week of the new year and I thought I would drop in and share my "resolutions" for the year - and to encourage you all to share your own as well.
Despite me asking the question above, I came into the year eschewing the traditional "resolution" making practice and instead have chosen to focus in on an intention. As a public historian, I deeply feel that my work is a practice regardless of where I do the work. Especially in light of the events last week, I believe my role as a preservationist and a historian is more important that ever. So my intention for the year is to focus as much of my practice to telling the full story and engaging with some of the tougher systems of our field. I know I personally am not going to have the answers but I want to support you, the preservation community, in continuing the journey from last spring.
In terms of the first concrete thing I am doing? Is reading through some of the great anti-racist resources
pulled together by Columbia.
I hope you'll share what your intentions and resolutions are for the year (or even, the next month!)
Priya
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Priya Chhaya
Forum Connect Community Manager
Associate Director of Content
National Trust for Historic Preservation
Washington DC
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-23-2020 09:22
From: Priya Chhaya
Subject: Preservation Resolutions: How will you use your preservation power for good in 2021?
While we have almost a full week left in the year, I wanted to share with you the first of two posts we're sharing on Preservation Leadership Forum to mark the passage of this very challenging year.
As in years past (though we did skip a look back on 2019) this list pulls out stories, webinars, and other content and resources from the closing year while also considering the year to come.
Realistically we know that flipping the calendar from 2020 to 2021 won't erase all of the trauma and exhaustion we have experienced, but it does provide a sort of mental break, an opportunity so to speak, for us all to reflect on both our personal and professional lives.
So my question(s) for the community are:
What is your preservation resolution for 2021? Or if that is too broad a question, one is the first thing you will do to transform your preservation practice-in light of lessons learned from this past year-in 2021?
Another way you could think about it is how will use your power as preservationists for good this year?
I'll post my answer on January 4 but for now share away, and read this post from @Marisa Brown about her resolutions for the field. (I'll put the link in here when it is live).
Note: If you haven't yet, take part in the PennPraxis survey. This 10-minute survey explores the makeup of the historic preservation field and how it is changing in light of contemporary issues. The survey is a project of PennPraxis, supported by the 1772 Foundation. Results will be shared in publications available on the PennPraxis website. (For more information, contact rfmason[at]design.upenn.edu.) The survey closes in mid-January.
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Priya Chhaya
Forum Connect Community Manager
Associate Director of Content
National Trust for Historic Preservation
Washington DC
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