The 1619 Project

I've read through a bunch of the 1-star reviews and noticed that none of them actually address anything that is IN the episodes. Many of them claim that the documentary traffics in false history but literally every single person interviewed falls into one of two camps: 1) they are discussing things that personally happened to them; or 2) they are academic experts citing primary sources.

As a documentary work, The 1619 Project is off to a very strong start. I'm not ready to give it a 10 yet because I want to see how the entire series plays out. It's fair to say that it has an agenda but I can't think of any documentary that does not. There are obviously people who will disagree with the premise but from what I've seen so far, it does an excellent job of backing up its stance with verifiable facts.

It's okay, and even welcomed to ruffle some feathers when it comes to a political documentary. But in doing so you must master the art of having your message reach all (or at least most) people. A quick glance at the reviews here tell you just that, there is a wild distortion in praise and hate, and the feedback on the reviews themselves are controversial. Wherever you stand on the issues presented in the documentary, it's obvious they only meant to capitalize on centuries of pain and suffering rather than make a clear documentary that tells the unifying message of freedom, for this documentary is message of hate. If they really cared about bridging the racial divide that has grown in recent years, they wouldn't have been so hate-fueled and one-sided. A good investigator is decisive, but a greedy propagandist is divisive.

I was looking forward to this series. As a public school teacher, my district has incorporated The 1619 Project into our SS and Civics curriculum from K-12. I was interested in seeing how it would transfer over into a documentary series. It did not disappoint.

I won't serve up any spoilers. But I will say I like that each episode is connecting the dots between the past history of slavery and present-day laws and circumstances and how they effect EVERYONE. Not just Black people, but poor people, in general. I am learning some intricate details that I didn't know, even with family members that lived through the Civil Rights Movement. It really gives nuance to the rich history of the country and how everyone has contributed to what we as a country have become.

I am looking forward to the final four episodes and the topics that are tackled. So far, so good!

Just like the magazine series and book, this series sheds light on the history of America that has been white-washed for decades. It clearly illustrates the way in which this omission impacts America in 2023.

As I read some of these reviews, I recognize the fear that many White people experience when they are faced with the reality of the way Black people were historically mistreated and disenfranchised that continues to impact them today.

By highlighting the many contributions of Black people and the unimaginable obstacles they overcame, The 1619 Project is an integral tool for educating America.

I ask the reviewers who assert the series is offering false information to cite a single, specific example of untrue information in the available episodes.

So far the reviews here are pathetic. I doubt some reviewers have even watched the series. As a public school teacher of 25 years, I will note the following: 1) The 1619 Project is not "critical race theory". That is ridiculous.

2) The original series, the book and the TV series all have the same gaol: to present a reframing of American history from the point of view of black Americans, the descendants of slaves. It is a work of journalism, not a Ph. D thesis in US history. It succeeds in this goal, which is why many schools have added it to their curriculum.

3)Many white Americans are still in denial that systemic racism even exists today. That is their misfortune. /Ignorance of reality does not change reality. The legacy of slavery and white supremacy infects every aspect of our society. People of color know this all too well.

4) Hopefully as more people watch the series, it will enlighten and provoke, and open some minds. Then again, maybe not.