The 1619 Project

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The animating idea of this project is that our national narrative is more accurately told starting in late August of 1619, when a ship arrived in Jamestown with twenty to thirty enslaved Africans. This marked the beginning of a brutal system of chattel slavery that would endure for 250 years, often referred to as the country’s original sin, but more accurately, it is the nation’s very origin. This collection of essays and historical vignettes, orchestrated by the editors of The New York Times Magazine and led by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, centers on the consequences of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans in shaping our identity. Featuring outstanding journalists and scholars, including Linda Villarosa, Jamelle Bouie, and Bryan Stevenson, the work illustrates how the legacy of 1619 permeates contemporary culture—affecting voting, housing, healthcare, and even art forms like music and storytelling. Interspersed with flash fiction and poetry, the history is brought to life through imaginative interpretations. Ultimately, the project emphasizes the necessity of confronting this challenging history to understand our present dilemmas and to strive for a more just future.