Join the Willamette Heritage Center for a roundtable on the third Thursday of each month through November about a topic selected straight from the headlines. This month's topic is about how wartime policies defined new rules for the status and practice of citizenship in Oregon and across the nation.

This month's program is presented in partnership with the Oregon Historical Society, and features a presentation by and discussion with Dr. Adriane Lentz-Smith, Dr. Kimberly Jensen, and Dr. Steve Sabol.

Americans fought their wars for democracy at home as well as abroad. Wartime propaganda and policies defined new rules for the status and practice of citizenship in Oregon and across the nation. Women activists, for example, claimed a more complete female citizenship. For women of color and women in ethnic communities, this push intersected with claims and contestations rooted in their racial and ethnic identities and pushed back against a system of white racism that seemed determined to expand. Native Americans, African Americans, immigrants, and many more engaged in war-related debates and activism that furthered their ongoing claims to civic rights and obligations. Some saw the promise of citizenship through wartime loyalty in support of government programs and the war effort. Others claimed a citizen's right to dissent, often paying a high price to do so. This panel will provide audiences an overview of these histories and create opportunity for discussion about their ongoing legacies today.

Participants will hear experts bring historical context to current events and then join the conversation. This event is free and open to the public. Food and drink will be available for purchase from Taproot Lounge & Cafe. Read more. This is an Oregon Humanities grant-funded event.