The year 1619 marked the start of the darkest chapter in American history. It was the year the first 20-30 African slaves stepped foot on American soil. In the following 242 years approximately 12.5 million slaves were brought to the U.S. When Africans were brought to America, they were treated as less than human. However, despite all the pain and suffering they were put through, they helped build the U.S. into the country it is today. The 1619 project, published by the New York Times, edited by Nicole Hannah-Jones in 2019, is a collection of essays, pictures, articles, etc., that gives a more in-depth explanation of African American history. It is meant to educate people about parts of U.S. history that are often overlooked. The 1619 project …show more content…
It is what bonds a group of people together. During slavery, African Americans, were stripped of their African culture. To stay bonded and cope with their harsh new reality, African Americans began to create a new culture. The U.S. can thank African Americans for the creation of rap, hip hop, jazz, country music, and a plethora of other genres of music. They can also thank artists such as Jacob Lawerance, Kara Walker, and Jean-Michel Basquiat for thinking outside of the box and introducing new art styles to the art community that are outside of the norm. In addition, the project mentions many black athletes who made an impact both in their sports and in their neighborhoods. Each of these accomplishments are significant to American culture, that is why it is included in the 1619 project. It is important to recognize the contributions African Americans have made because without them, American culture would not be as unique and diverse as it is today. Just like anything in this world, the 1619 project has people who are for and against it. There are people who believe it is beneficial for the project to be taught in schools, while others think it is