Written by Hunter Epperson
On March 24, students, visitors, faculty, and staff filled Turner Gymnasium at the University of Lynchburg to attend ‘Truth, History and The 1619 Project’ presented by Nikole Hannah-Jones.
Dr. Robert Canida, vice President for Inclusive Excellence, said, “Prior to Professor Hannah-Jones’ lecture at the University, I knew she was going to bring her authentic self! I knew we were not going to be presented with information that made us comfortable. And that was okay!”
Junior Caitlyn Freece said Hannah-Jones’s powerful presentation moved her and made her want to have conversations, and educate people about the 1619 Project to prevent the spread of misinformation.
Freece added, “I almost found it surprising how much the media spun the project around, and I was extremely surprised how so many people think that the 1619 Project is such a bad thing. The media and more right-winged people really do manipulate and use fear propaganda in order to get these people’s heads, when in reality, there is literally nothing to fear or wrong with the 1619 Project. The fact that is simply a suggestion and right-winged media and people are turning it around and trying to ban books just flabbergasts me.”
However, on the other hand, Canida added, “At this point in my life, not much surprises me. However, it amazes and at the same time truly saddens me, to know the length that individuals will go, in order to keep certain American populations oppressed.”
“The professional attacks on Professor Hannah-Jones, by right wing conservative groups, just because they do not want the truth about American history to be told,” said Canida.
Freece added, “Sadly, I found it disturbing, but not surprising in the slightest. I say sadly because it is despicable and disgusting how people are turning this basic history lesson around to push their own propaganda and racism, but it the fact that I was not surprised that people and media are doing it, but more disturbed at the fact that I figured that the right-wing media and figures that they would manipulate people into thinking the 1619 Project is bad.”
Similarly, Canida said, “The professional attacks on Professor Hannah-Jones, by right-wing conservative groups, just because they do not want the truth about American history to be told.” is what made him feel uncomfortable.
“One thing I took away from this lecture was how many articles are out there not supporting the 1619 Project. I always hear about it, but I never truly have been able to grasp that people actually think these things, write them down, and publish such racist journal articles. Another
thing I took away from this lecture is that there is always something more I can do to help support people who need it. Sometimes I feel like people, myself included, feel like we can only do so much and then we have to wait when that is not the case at all,” said Freece.
Canida said, “The fight for justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion must continue! We need more accomplices like Professor Hannah-Jones, in order to keep bending the arc of the moral universe towards justice! We know that change will not happen overnight, but with persistence it will happen!”
To read the ‘The 1619 Project’, please visit https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/08/14/magazine/1619-america-slavery.html
