The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story

The 1619 Project

• Genre: Nonfiction; history; social commentary
• Originally Published: 2021 (as a book; initially launched as a magazine project by The New York Times Magazine in 2019)
• Reading Level/Interest: College/adult
• Structure/Length: Expands on the original magazine project and is structured into essays, poems, and short fiction pieces contributed by various writers; approximately 619 pages; approximately 18 hours and 57 minutes on audio
• Central Concern: The 1619 Project reexamines the legacy of enslavement in the United States, positing that the arrival of the first enslaved Africans in Virginia in 1619 was America’s foundational moment. Led by Nikole Hannah-Jones, the project challenges the traditional narrative of American history, highlighting the central role of Black Americans in building the nation and fighting for democracy. The collection addresses the enduring impact of enslavement on all aspects of American society, from economics and law to culture and health.
• Potential Sensitivity Issues: Enslavement, racial violence, systemic racism, and their ongoing effects on American society; controversial perspectives on American history

Nikole Hannah-Jones, Author

• Bio: Born 1976; American investigative journalist, writer, and educator; known for her work on civil rights issues, particularly those affecting children and schools. Hannah-Jones won the Pulitzer Prize for Commentary for her introductory essay to The 1619 Project.
• Other Works: While The 1619 Project is her most notable work, Hannah-Jones has written extensively for The New York Times Magazine and other publications on issues of race, education, and segregation.
• Awards: Kirkus Prize Finalist (2022); NAACP Image Award—Outstanding Literary Work (2022)

CENTRAL THEMES connected and noted throughout this Teaching Guide:

• 1619 as America’s True Founding
• Violence Against Black Americans
• The Meaning of Freedom to Black Americans

STUDY OBJECTIVES: In accomplishing the components of this Teaching Guide, students will:

• Explore historiography as it relates to Black history and the original New York Times 1619 Project to increase engagement with and understanding of The 1619 Project.
• Examine paired resources to deepen their understanding of textual themes: 1619 as America’s True Founding, Violence Against Black Americans, and The Meaning of Freedom to Black Americans.
• Demonstrate understanding of the argumentative structure of The 1619 Project by creating a visual summary of the text’s key arguments.
• Use writing to evaluate the effectiveness of the text’s style, argumentation, and structure.