Since its publication by the New York Times Magazine, “The 1619
Project has been the topic of intense controversy. Its supporters claim it provides an important viewpoint through which to understand American history, but it has also received tremendous backlash. That backlash has been led by prominent Republican politicians who reject the claims made by “The 1619 Project” and the narrative of American history that it
presents.
Your assignment is to write a 2-3 page response that discusses the following:
1. What is the central argument that “The 1619 Project” makes about the role of slavery in the founding and development of the United States of America?
2. Provide two specific examples, provided by “The 1619 Project,” on how slavery has affected the continued development of the United States
3. What criticisms have Republican politicians made of The 1619
Project”? Highlight the criticisms made by at least two prominent political figures:
You may access “The 1619 Project” in three different ways. The first is by reading it as it appeared in the New York Times Magazine
(1619 Project pdf). You may also listen to the 5-part podcast available for free on Spotify and other platforms, or watch the 5-part miniseries that is available through subscription on Hulu.
All three present similar
information in different formats, so it is a matter of preference. Some light research may be necessary to answer the third question (no citations necessary)
Your response will be graded on how well you addressed the above three questions, and the quality and clarity of your writing. Proper formatting and grammar do matter!
