Teaching Race Now: The 1619 Project

The 1619 Project is an ongoing initiative by The New York Times that began in 2019. It aims to reframe U.S. history by placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of black Americans at the very center of our national narrative. Its 18 long chapters contend that systematic and pervasive racism has driven much of America’s economic, intellectual, political and social development. The Trump administration instead supported the “1776 Report” and Praeger Institute curriculum, which argue that slavery was awful but universal, not a White phenomenon, and contend that white European opposition to slavery led to world opposition and American opposition was among the most virtuous in the world. Traditional conservatives state the 1619 Project is generally positive, but over-emphasizes the role of racism in American development, ignoring many positive aspects and should be oriented more towards developing a racially blind future. We will compare and contrast these views through civil discussion.

Note: OLLI membership is required to attend.