Why Didn't I Know This?
June 24, 2021
June 24, 2021
“Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.”
-- Nigerian writer, Chinua Achebe
Here we have a recent example of erasing historical truth. It happened on Memorial Day, 2021, in Hudson, Ohio.
Begin at minute 47:00 and watch through about 53:00 .
Why is the history of this country so frightening to white people?
Hannah Nicole-Jones introduces the New York Times' special issue of the August 18, 2019, Sunday magazine with an essay that won her a Pulitzer Prize. But that essay and the rest of The 1619 Project also frightened and angered many people.
(6:04)
Above, she speaks briefly about the Project. At right, is her introductory essay.
The pushback against this essay and the entire 1619 Project has resulted in Ms. Hannah-Jones's tenure rejection; passage of laws in a growing number of states banning the use of the material in public schools; and continued attempts to erase historical truth.
If you'd like more information about Critical Race Theory:
Professor Phil Lee on "Systemic Racism and Critical Race Theory" March 31, 2016
Washington Post "What is Critical Race Theory... ' May 29, 2021 (PDF HERE)
"Who's Afraid of Critical Race Theory" AfroSapiophile June 8, 2021
Another view of history that is being disparaged and censored is Critical Race Theory (CRT). Eliott C. McLaughlin, author of the article on the left, outlines how CRT can help us better understand our history. The New Yorker article below, by columnist Jeannie Suk Gerson, reflects on the importance of teaching the Supreme Court's 1857 Dred Scott decision and suggests that it "conveys the essence of CRT to a person encountering these ideas for the first time."
Why do we have two separate histories?
Can they be reconciled?
The New York Times 1619 Project
August 2019
These two documents may be seen as representations of the conflicting narratives.
VS.
Click on box at top right of each graphic to open complete document
Ex-President Trump's 1776 Commission Report
January 2021
June 19th is now a national holiday.
What does that actually mean in terms of social justice and historical truth?
Click on the great photo (left) to access a Renee Graham article from the Boston Globe, June 17, 2021. Below is a PDF.
Follow-up to the June 24th meeting ...
Click on the graphic at left to access directly the July 4, 2021, essay by Timothy Snyder in the Sunday New York Times Magazine . You can read a PDF below: