History is critical: Addressing the false dichotomy between historical inquiry and criticality

This article discusses the false dichotomy between criticality and historical inquiry. We argue that adding “critical” to “historical inquiry” can be interpreted as something distinct, instead of integral, It normalize idea thinking is not critical, which, in turn, upholds illusion inquiry research inherently ideological or political. inadvertently reifies a silos scholarship into two camps: one deemed political because it directly engages another apolitical claims objectivity. make three assertions: already critical; history education critical share common commitments; should embrace tension other forms knowledge necessary developing field. conceptualize this space possibility repairs marginalization centers Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian American knowledge.