The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story

Content Warning: This section of the guide contains references to slavery, physical and sexual abuse, murder, and anti-Black racism.

The American Revolution (1775-1783) was a war fought between the American colonies and Great Britain, sparked by the desire of the colonies to seek independence from the British government due to grievances concerning from excessive taxation and a lack of representation in British parliament. One of the most controversial claims in The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story is that one of the catalysts for the war was also slavery. Nikole Hannah-Jones argues that many American colonists were worried when the British government offered emancipation to Black enslaved laborers who were willing to join the redcoats.

Black Wall Street refers to a prosperous African American district in Tulsa, Oklahoma, during the early 20th century. The area was home to numerous banks, shops, and theaters that were successful businesses owned by Black people in the community. In 1921, white mobs attacked the district, looting and burning businesses. The area was never able to fully recover.

These meetings, held between 1830 and 1890, brought together Black and white activists on issues such as abolition, voting rights, and racial and legal segregation.