Study Guide to Understanding the 1619 Project

Study Guide to Understanding The 1619 Project is for educational administrators, teachers, parents, and students.

As an immigrant with a keen interest in American History, I offer a perspective of someone who can look at events as an outsider. Rather than someone who has been educated in the American education system. Whether you are on the political Right or Left, TThe 1619 Project is essential reading. It brings focus and influence to the debate over what schools and colleges teach about race in America and how they teach it. The project may impact the writing of state education laws, school curricula, and textbooks for years to come. As I write this in late July 2021, this is already happening.

My analysis offers a critique of the text in which I attempt to separate fact from myth and valid from invalid arguments. As a critical reader, my first instinct is always to look for common ground and only then to focus on differences – an approach that I recommend to readers. The work is divided into sections: A Preface and Introduction which explain the author's perspective; A glossary of terms that gives a mini-essay on the key terms used to talk about slavery and racism; A reader's guide to The 1619 Project which includes helpful questions and a detailed commentary.