Thread by @jakesilverstein

This morning we’re launching something special: the #1619project, an effort from @NYTmag & @nytimes to mark the 400th anniversary of the start of American slavery. The project begins with a special issue of the magazine: nyti.ms/31JsMtb ... 1/15

The idea of the issue is this: the moment, in late August of 1619, when a ship arrived in the British colony of Virginia carrying 20-30 enslaved people from the African nations of Ndongo and Kongo—this is the country’s “birthday,” its true origin point ... 2/15

Thinking this way can really reframe your understanding of American history and the consequences of slavery. The essays in the magazine all take up an aspect of contemporary American life and show its historical roots in this period, and the racism it fostered and required...3/15

The #1619project came from the amazing mind of the one and only @nhannahjones, and she’s the driving force behind it. It’s been a privilege to work with her on it—and to learn from her too. This project has something to teach us all... 4/15

So many other people (too many to list right here) at @NYTmag and throughout the entire NYT worked their asses off to make this happen, and to make it as ambitious as possible. Their work has been totally inspirational. 5/15

The special issue arrives this weekend, along with Part 2 of the #1619project: a special broadsheet section on the history of slavery, made by @caitlinroper and the crew at NYT Mag Labs, in partnership with the @NMAAHC... 6/15

It’s devastating... 7/15

We made this special section because the shameful, painful history of slavery is not fully taught in all our schools—and it should be. 8/15

To help address that deficiency, we’ve partnered with @pulitzercenter to create a free curricular program that can be used in schools (9th grade - college). If you’re an educator, or if you want your kids to know this history, check it out: pulitzercenter.org/projects/1619-… ...9/15

The main goal of #1619project is to deepen understanding of this country’s true history, so education is key... 10/15

But it doesn’t stop there. Next week, the amazing folks at The Daily will launch a multi-episode audio series called 1619. It begins on 8/20/2019... 11/15

And in the weeks and months ahead, we’ll be publishing more stories, photos, reader responses, and more. So hit us up with ideas, things we missed, etc... 12/15

This project is for everyone. All Americans share this history, no matter what role your own specific ancestors did or didn’t play it it. This history formed the country we all live in today... 13/15

The better we understand it and the more we talk about it, the less likely we are to be trapped by the fears, hatred, anxieties and wrong thinking of the past, and the better our chance will be to build a just future... 14/15

So please check it out and let us know what you think. We’re proud of it, but we also know this is only the beginning. 15/15