The Humanities Impact Us All. We Must Speak Up. 

The following blog post was originally published as a Letter to the Editor in the April 4, 2025 issue of the Minnesota Star Tribune.

As Chair of the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC), I’ve seen firsthand the power of the humanities to bring people together. That’s why the recent actions by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are so concerning.

By placing nearly all staff at the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) on administrative leave, terminating contracts with partners like MHC, and rescinding awarded grants, DOGE is jeopardizing initiatives that support communities and enrich lives across our state.

MHC is one of 56 state and territorial humanities councils supported by NEH. In Minnesota, that support translates into essential educational and cultural programming in every corner of the state—urban, rural, and tribal communities alike. If these decisions stand, MHC could lose $1.2 million annually. That loss would jeopardize programs that serve people of all ages, professions, and political beliefs.

The humanities are not a luxury. They help us answer fundamental questions: Who are we? What do we value? How do we build a future rooted in justice and mutual respect? At MHC, we do this work through storytelling, exhibits, community conversations, and partnerships that amplify diverse voices across Minnesota by bringing those voices together.

This decision risks undoing decades of work in education, culture, and community connection. Our federal delegation must take action to restore NEH.