Read on Twitter
I have been inspired to do a thread on the 1619 Project.
Here is more from NHJ:
Then I would like to point out that it has been discredited. https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/12/historians-clash-1619-project/604093/
I'll add a quote here: @toleratefreedom: "Reminder that there are empowering black voices who offer counterpoint to the 1619 project. @1776Unites offers a positive focus on opportunity & growth while acknowledging (not revising) our past." https://1776unites.com/
Some still don't see a problem: "1619 retells the story from another perspective. What's the difference between teaching the history of the US from the founder's father's perspective and 1619?"
If it were as simple as sharing someone else's perspective, then I might tend to agree with the above statement as long as the work was shared alongside other perspectives for discussion.
However, there is more to it and I would suggest reading this article about the 1619 Project: https://newdiscourses.com/2020/07/history-killers-academic-fraudulence-1619-project/
So then I was asked: "Well is the Project presented as fact in the classroom?" The answer is it might be...depending on the teacher and the school. (see renegade in article). The fact that this work may be used in certain classrooms as factual is troubling. https://www.educationnext.org/1619-project-enters-american-classrooms-adding-new-sizzle-slavery-significant-cost/
So then I am told "so it is an issue with specific teachers and not the Project". The answer is no....teachers/classrooms are an issue, but the Project is still a problem on its own. I would quote that article, but it is too long for Twitter so here:
Then I get asked: "Do you think you could find other articles that praise the 1619 project for accuracy and how important the content is? Perhaps it won a Pulitzer for a reason?"
About the Pulitzer: "Without getting all Marxist about it, journalism prize-givers are power grabbers who use contests to seize cultural capital and exploit it. Culture capital, as defined by philosopher Pierre Bourdieu, exists outside of normal markets" https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2015/04/2015-pulitzer-prizes-jack-shafer-column-117151
The response: "Eh, with the variety of opinion pieces out there it's all too easy to always be able to find a piece of content that agrees with your worldview, and then use that as a way to augment your argument." Interesting.....
See NJH's own words:
That brings me back to this: "understanding the New York Times Magazine’s 1619 Project more or less necessarily begins by observing that it is not history, but the kind of pessimistic and hyperbolic historiography that is typical of critical race Theory." https://newdiscourses.com/tftw-1619-project/
Finally, this point: https://newdiscourses.com/tftw-1619-project/
I said finally, but I forgot to add this: NHJ has said she would be honored to have the riots called the "1619 riots" (may have to click the photo to see her comment at the top)
