Thread by @nhannahjones

So, here it is. If you follow me on here, if you know me in real life, then you know I'm obsessed with the year 1619 & how the start of slavery in America has shaped everything in our society. So, in Feb. I pitched to @NYTmag a project to examine, in this 400th year, the legacy.

@NYTmag What began as an idea to devote an entire issue of @NYTmag to commemorating this tragic 400th anniversary examining the modern-day legacy had turned into a project unlike any other in the history of the @nytimes.

@NYTmag @nytimes On Aug. 18th, @nytimes and @NYTmag will publish an entire issue of the magazine, an entire special section of the magazine, a section of our kids section, and full digital package all dedicated to examining a date as important to this country as the year 1776.

@NYTmag @nytimes We are calling it the #1619Project, and it will include works from some of the most laureled writers of our time, including @jesmimi, @Wesley_Morris, @JackieWoodson, @KieseLaymon, @Rita_Dove5B, @TyehimbaJess, @eveewing, @ClintSmithIII

@NYTmag @nytimes @jesmimi @Wesley_Morris @JackieWoodson @KieseLaymon @Rita_Dove5B @TyehimbaJess @eveewing @ClintSmithIII It will include works from historians such as
@TiyaMilesTAM @KhalilGMuhammad @KevinMKruse and @nytimes & @NYTmag staff writers such as @lindavillarosa @kitastew @jbouie.

On Aug. 13, @NYTmag is holding a launch event to preview the project and to commemorate the 400th anniversary of event inseparable from the American story but that will pass in most households without notice. Please join us. timesevents.nytimes.com/1619NYC

@NYTmag I'm so blessed & proud to work at a place & with folks like @jakesilverstein @ilenasilverman & @caitlinroper who not only supported my vision to commemorate one of the most horrific moments in this nation's history, but expanded it to make #project1619 bigger than I'd imagined.

@NYTmag @jakesilverstein @ilenasilverman @caitlinroper Just as nothing about this country has been left untouched by this country's decision to purchase that first group of 20-30 human beings, we hope this project will reframe the way we view our nation, the black people who built in the society we live in and where we go from here.

@NYTmag @nytimes *An entire special section of the NEWSPAPER and an entire issue of the magazine.

The list of contributors is not comprehensive but want to shout out a few more folks. @jazzedloon, who is working on the special section of the newspaper along with Mary Elliott from @NMAAHC, @trymainelee as well.