1619: Let’s start reading
Week 1: And away we go!
I’ve been looking forward to this day. Now is the time for us to launch this book club and for all 34 of us to begin reading The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story, created by Nikole Hannah-Jones. I’m happy you’re in!
This week we’ll read the preface, “Origins.” It’s 17 pages long. In the essay, Ms. Hannah-Jones tells the story of The 1619 Project, from the very first time she discovered the Year 1619 and its significance, all the way through to the New York Times Magazine publication and its divided reception. She also introduces the book. I hope you enjoy it.
Next steps (this week)
Read the preface. (Tip: Carve out a regular 1-2 hour “reading time” each week.)
Optionally: Choose one passage that resonated with you and share it in the comments.
I’ll send out Google calendar invitations for all 7 discussions. Please RSVP yes, no, or maybe, based on your availability.
Next steps (next week)
Next Monday, I’ll send you an email with more details about our first discussion on Saturday, February 12, 2:00 - 3:30 pm PT.
The email will also include information about who is going to be in your small group (after I look more closely at what you said in the survey).
It’s an exciting time! Reach out if you have any questions. All you need to do is hit reply. Happy reading!
I have two! (Sorry, I know the prompt – that I wrote! – said to share just one.)
“[T]he American public has an outdated and vague sense of the past” (xxi).
“If we are a truly great nation, the truth cannot destroy us” (xxxii).
"But while history IS what happened, it is also, just as important, how we THINK about what happened & what we unearth & choose to remember about what happened." (xxvi)