Let’s get our 1619 Project book club started

What do we want to get out of this experience?

Happy MLK Day, everyone. I’m honored that you (all 35 of you!) are interested in reading and discussing The 1619 Project, created by Nikole Hannah-Jones.

We’ll start reading Feb. 1. Until then, let’s spend time forming this group, sharing our hopes for the experience, and making sure this is something you want to be doing.

Are you ready? Hope so!

Last post, I listed four questions I’d like to answer before we launch.

• What do we want to get out of this experience?

• How can we build community and support each other?

• What about the small discussion groups? How should they be formed? Should we stay in our groups the whole time, or should we mix things up in the middle?

• And maybe most important: When’s the best time to meet?

Let’s tackle the first two questions this week. (We’ll do logistics next post.)

Sometime before this Friday, please (1) say hi, (2) introduce yourself, (3) share what you want to get out of this experience, (4) share how we can build community and support each other. Do this by clicking the green button below.

I’d like for all of us to contribute. You don’t need to write anything fancy. Three to six sentences is plenty. Also, a “rule” at Article Club is “we don’t have to perform; we don’t have to be smart; we’re already smart.” Feel free to be fully who you are!

Here’s an example (mine), in case it’s helpful:

Hi there everyone! I’m Mark, and I’m an educator who lives in Oakland. For a long time I’ve been a huge fan of Nikole Hannah-Jones, so I’m excited to read and discuss this book with all of you. From this experience, I want to have the space to learn and talk and listen and reflect. My hope is that we help each other really read and take in this book. I look forward to it!

In addition to leaving your comment, feel free to reply to other people’s contributions. My hope is that we’ll build a strong reading community.

All right, that’s it for now! This Friday, be on the lookout for the next post, where we’ll get into the nitty-gritty of logistics. And always feel free to hit reply to ask me questions, share ideas, and raise concerns.