The ongoing debate over how the historical narrative is presented in the United States has surged to the forefront as Kate Rogers, the former CEO of the Alamo Trust, resigned following intense scrutiny from a prominent Texas official.
In a statement delivered to the Associated Press, Rogers disclosed that her resignation occurred after Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick urged her to step down or face removal. Patrick's demand came as a response to Rogers' academic paper, in which she critiqued conservative education policies and expressed a desire for the Alamo, a historic site in Texas, to adopt a broader historical perspective.
It was with mixed emotions that I resigned my post as President and CEO at the Alamo Trust yesterday, Rogers said. She acknowledged that recent developments indicated it was time for her to move on.
Patrick, who released his letter to the Alamo Trust’s Board of Directors on social media, labeled Rogers' paper as shocking and suggested that her outlook on the Alamo's history diverged significantly from traditional narratives.
In her paper, Rogers pointed out the Texas Legislature’s conservative agenda and included references to a controversial 2021 book, “Forget the Alamo,” which challenges conventional viewpoints about the Alamo and the role of slavery in Texas' fight for independence from Mexico.
“Philosophically, I do not believe it is the role of politicians to determine what professional educators can or should teach in the classroom,” she argued in her paper.
Rogers highlighted various aspects of the Alamo's history, including its significance to Indigenous peoples, which she believed should be included in educational discussions about the site. She expressed her hope that the Alamo could serve as a unifying space rather than a divisive one.
However, she later noted that such a vision might not be politically viable in the current climate, as debates continue over how to accurately depict the history of the Alamo and its defenders. Patrick insisted that future generations must remember the sacrifices made during the siege, framing it as 13 Days of Glory.
The Alamo Trust, which manages the site—known as “the Shrine of Texas Liberty” and attracting over 1.6 million visitors annually—faces crucial renovations, which the state is funding at an estimated cost of $400 million. Rogers' departure marks a controversial chapter in the evolving discourse on how America's historical narratives are constructed and taught.
