“Just Representation” and “Rising up” Narratives in the Texas Historical Commission's Undertold Marker Program

ABSTRACT

The Texas Historical Commission's Undertold Marker (UM) program, established in 2006, aims to address historical gaps and highlight underrepresented communities in the state's historical marker texts. Despite these goals, many UMs adopt a “rising up” narrative, celebrating achievements while minimizing systemic violence, discrimination, and enduring inequities affecting Black, Latinx, Indigenous, Asian American and Pacific Islander populations, and white women. This article examines a representative sample of UMs to assess the extent to which they achieve “just representation,” defined as equitable and comprehensive inclusion of marginalized histories. Drawing comparisons to the Equal Justice Initiative's Historical Marker Project, the study critiques the tendency to favor uplifting narratives over truth‐telling. Situating UMs within broader discussions in rhetoric studies, tourism studies, and cultural geography, this analysis highlights both the potential and limitations of historical markers as sites of public memory. The article concludes with recommendations for enhancing equitable and truthful representation in Texas and Southern public history.