The New Golden Age is a coalition built on Black-Jewish solidarity, committed to learning from each other’s histories and advocating for each other’s futures. As we witness growing threats to Black history, Jewish history, and the civil rights protections that safeguard our communities, we cannot remain silent. These attacks are not just attempts to rewrite the past—they are assaults on the very foundation of justice and equality in America.

Recent events underscore the urgency of our mission. The temporary inclusion of Montgomery’s historic Freedom Rides Museum on a federal list of properties slated for sale sent a disturbing message about the vulnerability of civil rights landmarks. This site—where Freedom Riders, including Black and Jewish activists, were brutally attacked for challenging segregation—stands as a testament to the sacrifices made in the struggle for justice. Though the listing was reversed, the fact that such an oversight occurred raises serious concerns about the broader neglect of America’s civil rights history.

At the same time, we are seeing deliberate distortions by individuals of prominence of historical truth. In recent days, false claims about history have gone viral—such as a misleading social media post that falsely stated, “Stalin, Mao and Hitler didn’t murder millions of people.” This is more than misinformation; it is a dangerous attempt to rewrite history, fueling extremism and paving the way for denialism. When history is distorted to minimize the crimes of mass murderers, it threatens our ability to confront past injustices and prevent future ones.

While the elimination of government waste is important, there are also ramifications of concern. Beyond rhetoric, structural rollbacks are actively dismantling civil rights protections. The elimination of hundreds of positions within the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has resulted in the closure of more than 6,000 active investigations, including cases addressing antisemitism in public schools. The loss of the Philadelphia OCR office—previously working with the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia to hold institutions accountable—is just one example of how these cuts make our communities more vulnerable.

History is more than a record of the past—it is the foundation upon which justice stands. When Black and Jewish resilience is erased, when historical landmarks are threatened, and when the legal protections that safeguard our civil rights are dismantled, we all face the consequences.

For generations, the Black and Jewish communities have stood together in the fight for justice. We will not allow our past to be erased or our futures threatened. As part of the New Golden Age Coalition, we are committed to strengthening our solidarity, preserving historical truth, and advocating for the protections our communities need to thrive. We call on leaders, educators, policymakers, and all who believe in justice to stand with us—because when we defend history, we safeguard the future.

We will not be silent.