The 1619 Project

A New Origin Story

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • A dramatic expansion of a groundbreaking work of journalism, The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story offers a profoundly revealing vision of the American past and present.

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The Washington Post • NPR • Marie Claire
 
In late August 1619, a ship arrived in the British colony of Virginia bearing a cargo of twenty to thirty people stolen from Africa. Their arrival led to the barbaric and unprecedented system of American chattel slavery that would last for the next 250 years. This is sometimes referred to as the country’s original sin, but it is more than that: It is the source of so much that still defines the United States.

The New York Times Magazine’s award-winning “1619 Project” issue reframed our understanding of American history by placing slavery and its continuing legacy at the center of our national narrative. This new book substantially expands on that work, weaving together eighteen essays that explore the legacy of slavery in present-day America with thirty-six poems and works of fiction that illuminate key moments of oppression, struggle, and resistance. The essays show how the inheritance of 1619 reaches into every part of contemporary American society, from politics, music, diet, traffic, and citizenship to capitalism, religion, and our democracy itself.

This is a book that speaks directly to our current moment, contextualizing the systems of race and caste within which we operate today. It reveals long-glossed-over truths around our nation’s founding and construction—and the way that the legacy of slavery did not end with emancipation, but continues to shape contemporary American life.

Cover image: Lorna Simpson Beclouded, 2018 © Lorna Simpson. Courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth.

Read by a full cast, including:
Nikole Hannah-Jones, January LaVoy, Claudia Rankine, Nikky Finney, Janina Edwards, Dorothy Roberts, Shayna Small, Terrance Hayes, Khalil Gibran Muhammad, Yusef Komunyakaa, Eve L. Ewing, Karen Chilton, Aaron Goodson, Reginald Dwayne Betts, Erin Miles, Dominic Hoffman, Adenrele Ojo, Matthew Desmond, Tyehimba Jess, Tim Seibles, Jamelle Bouie, Cornelius Eady, Minka Wiltz, Martha S. Jones, Darryl Pinckney, ZZ Packer, Carol Anderson, Tracy K. Smith, Evie Shockley, Bryan Stevenson, William DeMeritt, Jasmine Mans, Trymaine Lee, A. Van Jordan, Yaa Gyasi, Linda Villarosa, Danez Smith, Terry McMillan, Anthea Butler, Rita Dove, Camille T. Dungy, Wesley Morris, Natasha Trethewey, Joshua Bennett, Chanté McCormick, Nafissa Thompson-Spires, Ron Butler, Kevin M. Kruse, Bahni Turpin, Gregory Pardlo, Ibram X. Kendi, JD Jackson, Jason Reynolds, and Sonia Sanchez

Brilliant!!

Just finished my latest read and OMG!!!
This should be required reading for every middle and high school student in the country! EVERYONE should read this work of art but especially African Americans! Our contribution to this country are immeasurable! Our ancestors are the true founders of this country which has built its wealth on the backs enslaved Africans FOR FREE! The narration was rich, inspiring, moving and personal. 1619 is a date forever emblazoned on my heart! This is our country! I could go on and on but just READ THE BOOK!

Profound Work of Immense Importance

The accurate retelling of American history and the focus on the contributions of native blacks and enslaved persons is what we need to progress. Action is required of us all to realize a more perfect union. Thank you.

Descendants of Enslavers: A Way Forward

I am humbled by the extensive research done for this book, by the divergent and powerful voices repressed, by the courage of all who participated in its making. As a white descendant of enslavers, I now understand the critical need for restitution— in order to help to make this country whole. Thank you for opening my eyes and heart.

A True MUST READ!!

EVERYONE Must Read The 1619 Project! It will help EVERYONE know what we ALL must strive to acknowledge…what’s happened, and what’s happening NOW, so we can ALL TRULY work towards HEALING, and CORRECTING, a past, and present that No Other Americans have endured in THIS Country, our Country!

Historic

This book should be listened to or read by every body! I feel so bad for the black people and believe they are the most gracious and loving folks in this country!