The 1619 Project

Key idea 1

A narrative of omissions, and proudly displaying the banner of a nation that turned its back on you.

Let’s start with two significant moments in Nikole Hannah-Jones’s life. The initial one occurs in the author’s childhood residence. One of the most vivid recollections for Hannah-Jones from her youth is the sight of the American flag waving in the front yard of their family house.

It was a source of immense pride for her father, who took great care to ensure its pristine condition. While the house may have shown signs of neglect, he promptly replaced the flag whenever it showed the slightest wear.

Hannah-Jones found it difficult to grasp her father’s deep sense of patriotism. He hailed from Mississippi, a state known for its severe racial violence, where his own mother had faced disenfranchisement and segregation. As a descendant of enslaved individuals who endured unimaginable hardships, he encountered discrimination in various facets of his life. It influenced his residential options, educational opportunities, and career prospects. Despite serving in the military with hopes of enjoying the same privileges as white citizens, he faced discrimination in promotions and was eventually discharged. Despite his intelligence, he was relegated to service positions that barely provided for his needs.

So, considering how much the country had disappointed him, why was he still so patriotic? Why did he insist on proudly displaying the red, white, and blue flag?

As a teenager, Hannah-Jones felt embarrassed by her father’s unwavering commitment to flying the flag. Moreover, she believed his patriotism was misplaced, that he had been deceived into contributing to his own oppression. The second significant moment occurred in her school classroom.

During a social studies class, the teacher assigns all the students the task of drawing the national flag of their ancestors’ country. Hannah-Jones shares a glance with the only other Black student in the class. Like many descendants of enslaved individuals, they are uncertain about their ancestral origins, only knowing vaguely that it lies somewhere in Africa. The moment is unsettling, awkward, and quietly cruel. They miss out on the joy that their white peers feel in connecting with their ancestry from places like Scotland or Italy. Hannah-Jones walks over to the globe, selects a random African country, and sketches its flag. She doesn’t even contemplate drawing the flag of the nation where she was born, a land with deep ancestral ties for her family over centuries.

During her childhood, Nikole Hannah-Jones internalized the notion that as a Black individual, she wasn’t truly a part of the United States. She felt she wasn’t considered a “genuine” American. Moreover, she absorbed the belief that Black individuals hadn’t made significant contributions to the nation, except, perhaps, through their manual labor. This perspective was reinforced by the absence of Black figures among the Founding Fathers, the lack of Black men represented on Mount Rushmore, and the absence of Black politicians in the history books she studied in school.

In essence, according to the narrative presented in history books, Black individuals played a marginal role in the narrative of the United States. They were mentioned primarily in the context of slavery, depicted as a oppressed group held in bondage until their “liberation” by Abraham Lincoln. After that, Black individuals seemed to vanish from the historical narrative until the emergence of figures like Martin Luther King Jr., known for his iconic “I Have a Dream” speech.

Who could have blamed Hannah-Jones for accepting the notion that Black individuals had little involvement in shaping the United States, let alone anything worth celebrating? Later on, she would come to understand that, like many Americans, she had unknowingly embraced a significant falsehood – a falsehood her father rejected each time he displayed the flag in their yard. She would come to grasp that her father’s motivations for displaying the flag were far more nuanced than she had initially thought; he possessed insights about the country she had yet to uncover. She would come to realize that her school education had omitted crucial aspects of the history of herself, her father, and other Black Americans.

What you believe you understand about the establishment of America has been twisted and misrepresented. From the arrival date of the initial ship, to the rationale behind the pilgrims’ choice to proclaim independence, to the contribution of Black individuals in shaping the nation.

Although these events occurred centuries ago, their significance endures. And their significance surpasses what you might realize. They hold importance for individuals like Hannah-Jones, pondering their ancestry while gazing at a globe. Moreover, they hold significance for anyone seeking to comprehend the pervasive influence of white supremacy, which continues to impact them despite their efforts to evade it. They hold significance for politicians, educators, historians, and anyone concerned with systemic poverty and racism. They offer insight into why, even today, Black individuals in the United States face violence simply for everyday activities like shopping, jogging in their neighborhoods, or sleeping in their beds. Therefore, let’s delve into why the year 1619 holds such importance and how its enduring legacy has molded America.

Key idea 2

Beginnings

In the typical narrative, America’s genesis is associated with the Declaration of Independence, proclaiming equality for all, a significant 157 years after the pivotal events of August 1619 in Jamestown, Virginia. However, the true narrative commences there. With the arrival of the pirate vessel, the White Lion, the commencement of the slave trade was marked. Across centuries, 12.5 million individuals were abducted, subjected to the treacherous transatlantic voyage known as the Middle Passage, and thrust into the brutal and dehumanizing system of slavery. More than two million individuals perished during that harrowing voyage before ever reaching their intended destination. Without the institution of slavery, it is quite likely that the pursuit of independence would have occurred at an alternative juncture, motivated by entirely different circumstances, or conceivably not pursued at all. Let’s delve deeper into this final assertion.

The America we recognize today owes its existence to this abhorrent yet profitable commerce. Enslaved individuals played indispensable roles, cultivating the land for crops, imparting agricultural knowledge to settlers, and combating diseases such as smallpox. They undertook the strenuous tasks of sowing and reaping cotton, the nation’s foremost export, which profoundly influenced global economies. Additionally, they constructed the railways pivotal for fueling the Industrial Revolution. Their contributions significantly enriched the nation.

Naturally, slave owners were deeply apprehensive about abolition. Their concerns were so profound that they opted to pursue independence from Britain to ensure their continued engagement in the trade.

How did this unfold? To address that, let’s explore a different historical juncture, one often covered in textbooks.

It’s 1776, and Thomas Jefferson is seated at his writing desk, composing the Declaration of Independence—a document still referenced today. It begins: “We recognize these truths to be universal, that all individuals are created equal, endowed by their creator with inherent rights.”

This groundbreaking assertion also revealed a glaring contradiction. If every individual was truly regarded as equal, then why was Thomas Jefferson being attended to by an enslaved individual named Robert Hemings while drafting this document? Jefferson was also the owner of 130 enslaved individuals at his plantation, Monticello. Indeed, his wealth derived from his ownership of enslaved people.

Jefferson was just one among many who engaged in the trade of enslaved individuals. With one-fifth of the colonial population living in bondage, such extensive numbers couldn’t have existed without a robust network of willing participants.

To rationalize the brutality that contradicted their own principles, the Founding Fathers contended that enslaved individuals were not truly human, but rather, they were regarded as property. Slave codes were implemented throughout the colonies to legalize this perspective. Enslaved individuals were prohibited from marrying or acquiring literacy. They had no rights to their offspring, who were frequently taken from them and sold separately, and they lacked any legal protections in the judicial system. Enslavers could commit acts of violence and assault against them without facing repercussions. Moreover, enslaved individuals were deprived of their liberty.

While Jefferson proclaimed equality for all men, the Founding Fathers profited from the coerced labor of Black individuals whom they conveniently deemed unequal. However, slavery wasn’t just a regrettable inconsistency with the Declaration of Independence; it played a significant role in America’s quest for independence. In essence, without slavery, America might not have come into existence at all.

In the familiar narrative, colonists bravely fought for freedom against the British, asserting their independence from the Crown. Yet, the less palatable reality is that colonists sought independence to prevent enslaved individuals from gaining their freedom.

Before 1776, the 13 colonies were governed by Britain. Yet, there were indications that Britain was considering ending the slave trade. In 1772, James Somerset, an enslaved individual, secured his freedom after British courts deemed it unconstitutional to hold people as slaves on British territory.

In 1775, enslaver James Madison learned of a rumor suggesting that the British Parliament was considering a law to emancipate enslaved individuals across all colonies. The situation escalated when the Earl of Dunmore, John Murray, warned Virginia colonists that he would emancipate all enslaved individuals in their labor camps if they joined the armed conflict.

The colonies received a clear message: remaining under British authority would jeopardize their ability to maintain enslaved individuals. To avoid this risk, all 13 colonies united to declare independence from the Crown, safeguarding the immense wealth derived from the forced labor of hundreds of thousands of enslaved individuals across the nation.

The Declaration of Independence was crafted to serve a twisted notion of freedom: the liberty to continue holding fellow human beings in bondage.

Yet there’s an even deeper irony: while white colonists may not have fully embraced the principles of the Declaration of Independence, Black individuals did. Despite enduring firsthand the dehumanizing effects of slavery, they vigorously championed the ideals articulated in that very declaration. And their fight persists to this day.

Key idea 3

Black Americans have persistently struggled for the advancement of democracy.

Black Americans have made significant contributions to this nation not only through their immense and arduous work but also through their advocacy for genuine democracy. They have strived to hold the nation accountable to the lofty ideals articulated by Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence, ideals that he himself may not have fully embraced but that Black people wholeheartedly believed in.

Consider the numerous battles for equal rights unfolding in American courtrooms today. These include the push for the recognition of same-sex marriage, efforts to ensure equal employment opportunities for disabled individuals, and the fight against discrimination faced by evangelical church attendees in the workplace. These rights are safeguarded by the Fourteenth Amendment, a constitutional provision that upholds equality under the law.

The Fourteenth Amendment owes its existence to the relentless efforts of Black activists who, despite facing immense challenges, championed the cause of equality.

Following their emancipation, the formerly enslaved individuals didn’t seek retribution against their former captors, contrary to expectations. Rather, they endeavored to enhance the fairness and prosperity of America. During the Reconstruction era following the Civil War, Black activists and subsequently politicians played pivotal roles in enacting some of the most progressive laws in American history. For instance, they spearheaded the Civil Rights Act of 1868, which continues to grant citizenship to all individuals born in the United States. Additionally, they championed the Fifteenth Amendment, which guaranteed voting rights to all men regardless of race.

During a short period spanning from 1865 to 1877, both Black and white politicians collaborated to reconstruct the nation, aspiring toward genuine equality. They enacted laws aimed at combating housing discrimination and established America’s inaugural universal public school system. In a notable milestone, in 1873, the University of South Carolina became the first institution of higher education to achieve full integration.

However, these advancements were short-lived. In 1896, despite the Fourteenth Amendment, the Supreme Court sanctioned racial segregation as lawful. Southern states swiftly enacted laws and regulations aimed at disenfranchising Black voters once again. Black individuals were barred from jury duty, denied residence in white neighborhoods, and excluded from attending integrated schools. The chance to reconstruct a truly egalitarian society slipped away. It’s notable that the progress achieved during Reconstruction now appears radical, more than 150 years later.

Nonetheless, Black Americans remain steadfast in their commitment to democracy. For instance, during the 2020 elections, Black activists tirelessly campaigned against voter suppression. They are staunch supporters of universal health care and a higher minimum wage, despite being disproportionately affected by unemployment. Moreover, Black communities exhibit greater willingness to provide refuge to refugees. Yet, the fight for racial equality has largely been led by Black activists, as the majority of white Americans have not actively supported their endeavors. Importantly, these struggles extend beyond the interests of Black communities alone; they have paved the way for the equal treatment of all marginalized groups. It’s crucial to recognize that progress in one area does not come at the expense of another.

Hannah-Jones has reevaluated her father’s choice to prominently display the flag in their yard. Instead of viewing it as a symbol of submission to colonial powers, she now sees it as an emblem of bold resistance. Her father was affirming that America was also his, highlighting the contributions of his ancestors in constructing the nation and molding it into the democratic society it has become.

Yet, this significant contribution has never been recognized, neither in historical accounts nor by the U.S. government. This oversight must be rectified.

Key idea 4

Achieving fairness in race relations is inseparable from achieving fairness in economic opportunities.

Imagine traveling back to the mid-1940s, to a quaint town in Alabama, where a Black entrepreneur named Elmore Bolling thrived with his successful ventures. Bolling managed a gas station, a general store, and a delivery service, showcasing his diverse business acumen. Additionally, he leased a sizable piece of land where he constructed a spacious residence and cultivated crops such as cotton, corn, and sugarcane. Expanding further, Bolling and his wife introduced a restaurant offering Friday-night fish fries and the luxury of ice cream, a rare treat in those times. Notably, Bolling’s establishment served as a welcoming hub for Black individuals, providing a safe space for fueling up and socializing with loved ones. Moreover, his enterprises generated employment opportunities for over 40 local residents.

In 1947, tragedy struck when two white individuals intercepted Bolling’s delivery truck and fatally shot him six times. Bolling, described by some as a “marked man,” had garnered notable success, which drew envy and resentment from these assailants. Motivated by anger towards his prosperity, they mercilessly ended his life.

The impact on Bolling’s family was profound and devastating. They swiftly lost all that he had worked tirelessly to establish. Forced to leave the state, they struggled to make ends meet by undertaking low-paying jobs. Bolling had aspired for all his children to receive quality education, but in the end, only one managed to attain a college degree.

Consider the potential outcomes if the Bollings had been allowed to sustain their thriving business. Envision the lives their descendants might have led today. Picture the emergence of numerous Black-owned enterprises in the vicinity, enriching the economic landscape of communities in Alabama.

The tale of Elmore Bolling echoes throughout American history, where Black individuals have been systematically deprived of economic security and success, whether through biased laws or overt acts of violence.

Upon their emancipation, formerly enslaved individuals promptly sought recompense for their suffering and sacrifices, requesting reparations as acknowledgment of the immense contributions they had made to the prosperity of the nation.

Repeatedly, these pleas were dismissed. Although legally emancipated, formerly enslaved individuals remained economically enchained, frequently coerced into toiling as destitute sharecroppers on the very plantations where they had once been enslaved, struggling to fend off hunger. Consequently, they were deprived of the means to pass down wealth to future generations, denied the chance to partake in the intergenerational prosperity that white Americans have long benefited from.

It’s crucial to recognize that racism has consistently been intertwined with economic interests. The institution of slavery was upheld by spurious claims that stripped Black individuals of their humanity, providing a rationale for white enslavers to amass vast wealth through their relentless and brutal exploitation.

Once overtly racist policies have been abolished, legislators have promptly substituted them with ostensibly “race-neutral” measures that produce comparable outcomes through economic means. For instance, following the implementation of the Fifteenth Amendment in the late 1800s, which granted Black men the right to vote, white politicians enacted poll taxes. They understood that Black individuals, who had been systematically disadvantaged, would struggle to afford these taxes.

Following the legal dismantling of segregation, white policymakers devised alternative methods to enforce discriminatory practices: Black individuals were deprived of mortgages needed to purchase homes in designated “white” neighborhoods and were barred from unions offering pathways to middle-class occupations predominantly held by white individuals. While white families could accumulate wealth across generations through favorable government initiatives, Black communities were deliberately kept impoverished. Despite significant strides made by the Civil Rights Movement, the income gap between Black and white households remains unchanged today, mirroring levels from the 1950s.

When discussing racial justice, mere legislative changes aren’t sufficient. Legislation alone cannot restore the lost value of homes impacted by redlining or address the disparities resulting from generations of subpar education and missed opportunities. It fails to truly equalize opportunities. Racial justice is inherently tied to economic justice.

The US government annually sets aside five million dollars to assist Holocaust survivors. Similarly, reparations have been provided to Japanese Americans who were interned during World War II. However, for thirty years, Congress has consistently rejected the notion of reparations for the descendants of enslaved individuals.

Key idea 5

After enduring centuries of prejudice, what’s necessary are reparations.

White Americans often cling to the notion that the fight for racial equality is a thing of the past. They cite achievements in civil rights laws or the election of President Barack Obama as evidence. The underlying suggestion is that it’s time to “move on,” implying that Black individuals could succeed if they simply exerted more effort. Over the course of four centuries, the American government has methodically pushed Black individuals into poverty, starting with enslavement, followed by Jim Crow laws, and currently through economic segregation. Black poverty isn’t random or the result of individual actions; it’s the consequence of intentional policies. Therefore, achieving equality requires deliberate and strategic federal intervention.

Reparations shouldn’t be seen as punitive or a burden on white Americans’ finances; instead, they should be provided by the federal government. The welfare of Black Americans ultimately benefits all Americans, as the progress achieved through civil rights activism benefits everyone. While the year 1619 signifies a painful chapter in America’s past, we could continue to ignore its significance, as we have done for many years.

Alternatively, we could find inspiration in it. It could serve as a reminder of the countless Black activists who have strived for a democracy that lives up to the ideals of the Declaration of Independence. It can remind us of the potential for progress when we’re willing to acknowledge and address uncomfortable realities instead of sweeping them under the rug.

The narrative of America remains unfinished. Through recognizing the enduring impact of slavery, we open the door to constructing a nation that moves beyond its shadow. A nation where civil liberties are not merely discussed but actively upheld. A nation that empowers its most marginalized citizens and recognizes their intrinsic dignity under the law.

By reckoning with history, we have the chance to forge a new path forward. A future that genuinely embodies the ideals articulated by Jefferson in 1776.

Final Overview

In summary, the arrival of the White Lion in Virginia in August 1619 initiated the formation of America – a nation constructed on the backs of enslaved workers. This foundational moment illustrates that the colonists’ quest for freedom from the British Empire was achieved through the oppression and exploitation of human beings. While this marks the beginning of America, it’s not solely a narrative of bondage. It also underscores the remarkable contributions of Black Americans, who have persistently strived to steer America toward the ideals outlined in the Declaration of Independence.