Exploring the 1619 Project: America’s Racial History Through a New Lens (video)
Despite winning a Pulitzer Prize, the project sparked significant backlash, particularly from right-wing circles. Then-President Donald Trump criticized the 1619 Project, calling it “distorted” and “discredited,” and claimed it taught that America was founded on oppression rather than freedom.
Trump’s administration issued executive orders targeting the project, including the establishment of the 1776 Commission to promote “patriotic education.”
President Biden repealed the 1776 Commission on his first day in office, but the controversy surrounding the 1619 Project persisted. Over the following years, at least 23 states introduced bills targeting the project by name, and many more bills aimed to ban discussions of its core ideas.
This movement to suppress discussions about race and history led to the end of affirmative action and attacks on systems promoting equity.
The backlash against the 1619 Project is part of a broader effort to eliminate critical race theory, diversity, equity, and inclusion from education and other areas of American life. The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, for instance, outlines a plan to remove these paradigms from federal departments and schools.
Nikole Hannah-Jones remains a central figure in this debate. As the creator of the 1619 Project and founder of the Center for Journalism and Democracy at Howard University,
In summary, the 1619 Project has sparked a national conversation about race, history, and identity in America. It challenges us to confront the realities of our past and work towards a more inclusive and equitable society. Whether you agree with its premise or not, the project’s impact on American discourse is undeniable.
