))
Living History: Robert Kesten on Activism, Identity, and the Stories That Shape Us
Manage episode 490556304 series 3440203
Content provided by Jennifer Peterkin. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Jennifer Peterkin or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://ppacc.player.fm/legal.
Robert Kesten, Executive Director of the Stonewall National Museum & Archives, shares a deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation that spans civil rights, global activism, the importance of preserving history, and his lifelong commitment to justice. From organizing a fundraising event as a child in response to Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination to producing a Holocaust documentary and leading initiatives in human rights education, Robert’s journey reflects the intersection of compassion, curiosity, and courageous leadership. His reflections on history, identity, and the enduring struggle for human dignity are as timely as ever.
Interview recorded in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Key Takeaways:
- Robert Kesten is the Executive Director of the Stonewall National Museum & Archives, which preserves and shares LGBTQ history and culture.
- His activism began in childhood after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., when he organized a fundraiser to help send kids to camp.
- Robert emphasizes the importance of telling full, interconnected histories—likening it to a dense tapestry where every thread matters.
- He has worked across diverse causes: LGBTQ+ rights, civil rights, Holocaust remembrance, and international human rights education.
- Kesten produced a documentary on the Holocaust for March of the Living, focusing on emotional impact over dialogue.
- His view of compassion is putting the greater good above oneself, and his guiding philosophy is to leave the world better than he found it.
- Despite decades of global work, he describes his life as "rewarding" rather than "successful"—a reflection on the value of impact over recognition.
Robert Kesten’s Bio:
Kesten is president and CEO of Stonewall National Museum, Archives, & Library based in Fort Lauderdale, FL. The nonprofit organization is one of the largest of its kind in the LGBTQ+ world and one of the oldest, having been started in 1973.
Prior to joining Stonewall, Kesten traveled around the world promoting acceptance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a foundational document in building a better and more stable world. Kesten conceptualized the United Nations Decade of Human Rights Education, which was approved by the General Assembly and ran from 1994-2004.
Connect with Robert:
#TheHumanExperiencePodcast
Follow Along:
Website: https://www.thehxpod.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehxpod/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/getthehx
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thehxpod
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thehxpod
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
93 episodes
Share
