The 1619 Project

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.

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!

The filming itself is high quality. The storytelling is clear and has good audio. There are several interviews with people who lived through the Civil Rights Movement. There are some clips in black and white from the 1950s and 1960s. There is also contemporary footage of voting suppression. I found it interesting to learn more about events during my own lifetime.

The lens that is shaping the story is that Black people forged the US democracy by continually fighting for full citizenship and voting rights. I had never heard this perspective and am interested to see it fleshed out in the other episodes.

Not sure why people are stating this is historically inaccurate. It's very accurate. It is what it is people. We have a shameful past. If you want to disagree with some of the causation that is one thing, but we cannot disagree with historical fact on how this nation was founded. Obviously this is going to point out things that our nation is and should be shameful for. This does not mean we are our ancestors, but we do need to reconcile our history and how this nation was built on the back of slavery and how our laws were impacted by it. I encourage everyone to embrace this for what it is. It's not an admission of guilt personally, it's an admission of our countries history.

I'm not surprised of the low rating. The truth stings for certain people - we know who they are. Anyway, the film's strength lies in its unapologetic approach to reframing history through the lens of African Americans' lived experiences. By presenting archival material alongside contemporary interviews, the movie connects past injustices with present-day racial inequities. Its blend of historical rigor and emotional resonance compels viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about the systemic forces underpinning American society.

The visual storytelling is powerful, with sweeping imagery of significant landmarks juxtaposed against intimate moments of reflection from interviewees. Nikole Hannah-Jones' narration is both authoritative and deeply personal, grounding the historical scope in human experience. The film excels in capturing the resilience and contributions of African Americans despite centuries of systemic oppression, offering a narrative that is as inspiring as it is sobering.

The 1619 Project is a necessary and bold piece of filmmaking that challenges America to reckon with its past. It is not merely a history lesson but a call to action, urging viewers to consider how historical injustices inform present-day realities. While polarizing for some, it is undeniably a vital contribution to the ongoing dialogue about race, identity, and justice in America.