Not sure why people are stating this is historically inaccurate. It's very accurate. It is what it is people. We have a shameful past. If you want to disagree with some of the causation that is one thing, but we cannot disagree with historical fact on how this nation was founded. Obviously this is going to point out things that our nation is and should be shameful for. This does not mean we are our ancestors, but we do need to reconcile our history and how this nation was built on the back of slavery and how our laws were impacted by it. I encourage everyone to embrace this for what it is. It's not an admission of guilt personally, it's an admission of our countries history.
25 Reviews
Off to a Great Start
newbeginningsandhappy-1065126 January 2023
I was looking forward to this series. As a public school teacher, my district has incorporated The 1619 Project into our SS and Civics curriculum from K-12. I was interested in seeing how it would transfer over into a documentary series. It did not disappoint.
I won't serve up any spoilers. But I will say I like that each episode is connecting the dots between the past history of slavery and present-day laws and circumstances and how they effect EVERYONE. Not just Black people, but poor people, in general. I am learning some intricate details that I didn't know, even with family members that lived through the Civil Rights Movement. It really gives nuance to the rich history of the country and how everyone has contributed to what we as a country have become.
I am looking forward to the final four episodes and the topics that are tackled. So far, so good!
I won't serve up any spoilers. But I will say I like that each episode is connecting the dots between the past history of slavery and present-day laws and circumstances and how they effect EVERYONE. Not just Black people, but poor people, in general. I am learning some intricate details that I didn't know, even with family members that lived through the Civil Rights Movement. It really gives nuance to the rich history of the country and how everyone has contributed to what we as a country have become.
I am looking forward to the final four episodes and the topics that are tackled. So far, so good!
Divisive, Not Decisive
isaacwest-6600115 February 2023
It's okay, and even welcomed to ruffle some feathers when it comes to a political documentary. But in doing so you must master the art of having your message reach all (or at least most) people. A quick glance at the reviews here tell you just that, there is a wild distortion in praise and hate, and the feedback on the reviews themselves are controversial. Wherever you stand on the issues presented in the documentary, it's obvious they only meant to capitalize on centuries of pain and suffering rather than make a clear documentary that tells the unifying message of freedom, for this documentary is message of hate. If they really cared about bridging the racial divide that has grown in recent years, they wouldn't have been so hate-fueled and one-sided. A good investigator is decisive, but a greedy propagandist is divisive.
Excellent Series
slc627927 January 2023
Just like the magazine series and book, this series sheds light on the history of America that has been white-washed for decades. It clearly illustrates the way in which this omission impacts America in 2023.
As I read some of these reviews, I recognize the fear that many White people experience when they are faced with the reality of the way Black people were historically mistreated and disenfranchised that continues to impact them today.
By highlighting the many contributions of Black people and the unimaginable obstacles they overcame, The 1619 Project is an integral tool for educating America.
I ask the reviewers who assert the series is offering false information to cite a single, specific example of untrue information in the available episodes.
As I read some of these reviews, I recognize the fear that many White people experience when they are faced with the reality of the way Black people were historically mistreated and disenfranchised that continues to impact them today.
By highlighting the many contributions of Black people and the unimaginable obstacles they overcame, The 1619 Project is an integral tool for educating America.
I ask the reviewers who assert the series is offering false information to cite a single, specific example of untrue information in the available episodes.
American racism
margueritereine29 January 2023
So far the reviews here are pathetic. I doubt some reviewers have even watched the series. As a public school teacher of 25 years, I will note the following:
1) The 1619 Project is not "critical race theory". That is ridiculous.
2) The original series, the book and the TV series all have the same gaol: to present a reframing of American history from the point of view of black Americans, the descendants of slaves. It is a work of journalism, not a Ph. D thesis in US history. It succeeds in this goal, which is why many schools have added it to their curriculum.
3)Many white Americans are still in denial that systemic racism even exists today. That is their misfortune. /Ignorance of reality does not change reality. The legacy of slavery and white supremacy infects every aspect of our society. People of color know this all too well.
4) Hopefully as more people watch the series, it will enlighten and provoke, and open some minds. Then again, maybe not.
2) The original series, the book and the TV series all have the same gaol: to present a reframing of American history from the point of view of black Americans, the descendants of slaves. It is a work of journalism, not a Ph. D thesis in US history. It succeeds in this goal, which is why many schools have added it to their curriculum.
3)Many white Americans are still in denial that systemic racism even exists today. That is their misfortune. /Ignorance of reality does not change reality. The legacy of slavery and white supremacy infects every aspect of our society. People of color know this all too well.
4) Hopefully as more people watch the series, it will enlighten and provoke, and open some minds. Then again, maybe not.
What?
jenrite1 June 2023
Total revisionist garbage. The thesis is pure conjecture with no research or fact basis whatsoever. The ideas are based on what the author thinks may have happened not what happened. The work is Specious and divisive that promotes no soecific point other than to encourage victimhood.
The points made about Abraham Lincoln are misleading and can easily be disproved with little research.
It is readily apparent that the author is milking this weak and non - peer reviewed "research" for every penny she can make. Only the most uneducated would believe this "history" even as far as claiming that America started in 1619? I think this is total nonsense at it's worst.
The points made about Abraham Lincoln are misleading and can easily be disproved with little research.
It is readily apparent that the author is milking this weak and non - peer reviewed "research" for every penny she can make. Only the most uneducated would believe this "history" even as far as claiming that America started in 1619? I think this is total nonsense at it's worst.
Incredible
nikkirmata27 January 2023
This series is breathtaking and so eye opening on indescribable levels. As someone who hasn't read the source material or has much knowledge on black history due to our nation's lack of acceptance of the truth of how our country was built, and it's inability to teach realistic history. This series really blew me away.
The composure and presentation the entire way through really allowed it in its entirety to be extremely digestible. As well as a great chronological basis for most stories and having real - live people to talk about their firsthand experiences during those time periods created such a strong conviction that cannot be ignored nor denied.
To the fragile egos rolling out negative reviews on their own political behalf without even waiting an appropriate amount of time to hide the fact they haven't even watched it is the cherry on top. You're outing yourself and you're afriad rightfully so, but it's time to rest your thumbs and open your ears. Hear the truths that exist outside of you own.
The composure and presentation the entire way through really allowed it in its entirety to be extremely digestible. As well as a great chronological basis for most stories and having real - live people to talk about their firsthand experiences during those time periods created such a strong conviction that cannot be ignored nor denied.
To the fragile egos rolling out negative reviews on their own political behalf without even waiting an appropriate amount of time to hide the fact they haven't even watched it is the cherry on top. You're outing yourself and you're afriad rightfully so, but it's time to rest your thumbs and open your ears. Hear the truths that exist outside of you own.
For someone who actually watched the first two episodes
jordanbarclay26 January 2023
I noticed this had a 1.8/10 in under two hours after its release: meaning that these ratings could not even possibly finish the episodes before reviewing.
Obviously, this series was polarizing before its release. The source material is banned in many schools, since it is one of the most prominent publications of modern critical race theory.
I have not read the book yet, but I like to listen to colored voices explain their issues with credible history.
So does the beginning deliver? Yes, in many ways.
This isn't some victim-complex montage of people screaming at you that all white people are bad; this is a calm yet focused presentation of American history trickling down into modern policies.
On the other hand, this isn't as organized as other documentaries advocating for black liberation such as 13th (2016) or LA 92 (2017). So far, this series seems to be a bit too personally led by Nikole Hannah-Jones and the people she chooses to survey.
So is this biased? Of course it is, it's a pro-black documentary in America. If you have strong reservations against black social progression, then get ready to be challenged. But bias aside, legitimate history is here, and I learned a lot of new material from all eras of black America such as modern voting laws, 1960s marching logistics, and brutal punishments of early activists.
Overall, it's a strong series that I would recommend anyone to watch. It's not a cesspool of liberal lies as the other reviews suggest, but it's also not the most impactful series on race ever made. Hopefully the direction of the series can flow better in the remaining four episodes, so I can't wait to finish it.
Watch 13th or LA 92 before watching this.
7/10.
Obviously, this series was polarizing before its release. The source material is banned in many schools, since it is one of the most prominent publications of modern critical race theory.
I have not read the book yet, but I like to listen to colored voices explain their issues with credible history.
So does the beginning deliver? Yes, in many ways.
This isn't some victim-complex montage of people screaming at you that all white people are bad; this is a calm yet focused presentation of American history trickling down into modern policies.
On the other hand, this isn't as organized as other documentaries advocating for black liberation such as 13th (2016) or LA 92 (2017). So far, this series seems to be a bit too personally led by Nikole Hannah-Jones and the people she chooses to survey.
So is this biased? Of course it is, it's a pro-black documentary in America. If you have strong reservations against black social progression, then get ready to be challenged. But bias aside, legitimate history is here, and I learned a lot of new material from all eras of black America such as modern voting laws, 1960s marching logistics, and brutal punishments of early activists.
Overall, it's a strong series that I would recommend anyone to watch. It's not a cesspool of liberal lies as the other reviews suggest, but it's also not the most impactful series on race ever made. Hopefully the direction of the series can flow better in the remaining four episodes, so I can't wait to finish it.
Watch 13th or LA 92 before watching this.
7/10.
It's Time..For the truth To be told
pynkprints27 January 2023
I absolutely loved and appreciated this series..I am looking forward to more. I.could relate to many of the stories in the documentary being that I am a black female..For all of the OTHERS stating that this story isn't true..what are u afraid of? Exactly which part isn't true? Funny that the bad parts are true but the good is fiction.. Well just because you choose not to look..listen..or believe it doesn't make it untrue! What's that saying..."when a lie is all that has been told, it makes the truth unconceivable" we can close our eye & run & hide or even attempt to fabricate & keep it out of schools but it's here like we are.. you can accept it or not.. it doesn't change anything..
The truth must be heard and here it is
tanyalamb27 January 2023
This documentary was excellent. And no matter how many republican deniers want to post terrible reviews, we cannot hide that this country was built on the forced labor of Black people using unimaginable violence.
I can imagine people don't want to know the truth about how how much wealth was accumulated by whites from the free labor. This documentary was absolutely eye-opening, and every student in this country should be forced to watch it just like the students in Germany are forced to learn about the holocaust.
As a white woman born into privilege, I know how much I got that I didn't even deserve. And I know that I owe the truth to so many people who didn't get the chances I did.
I can imagine people don't want to know the truth about how how much wealth was accumulated by whites from the free labor. This documentary was absolutely eye-opening, and every student in this country should be forced to watch it just like the students in Germany are forced to learn about the holocaust.
As a white woman born into privilege, I know how much I got that I didn't even deserve. And I know that I owe the truth to so many people who didn't get the chances I did.
An essential work for healing a divided nation.
dominijohn28 January 2023
The 1619 Project isn't new to me; I've read it both in the NY Times and in the published text. What's more Nicole Hannah-Jones has local connections, for me, so I've heard her speak. She's accomplished important work on the Black American experience, work that will help to heal this badly divided nation.
That said, I must add that this adaptation to video format enriches her material impressively. Plainly the people at Harpo Productions have thought a lot about the impact of personal voices and actual faces, both in Jones' family-- where the first episode starts-- and in those of older Americans who experienced the pain and struggle of the Civil Rights movement in the '50s and '60s. The viewing experience is engaging, humane, and the arrangement actually generates a special kind of suspense, within each episode (in the first, election suspense). I can't recommend the documentary highly enough for any American who care about history (I should mention that I'm white, of Italian descent), as well as for anyone seeking to understand this country.
Besides that, I should underscore what others have pointed out, namely, that the negative reviews you see here are completely uninformed-- and in fact were posted before the first episode aired. Shame on whoever put such destructive notes up.
That said, I must add that this adaptation to video format enriches her material impressively. Plainly the people at Harpo Productions have thought a lot about the impact of personal voices and actual faces, both in Jones' family-- where the first episode starts-- and in those of older Americans who experienced the pain and struggle of the Civil Rights movement in the '50s and '60s. The viewing experience is engaging, humane, and the arrangement actually generates a special kind of suspense, within each episode (in the first, election suspense). I can't recommend the documentary highly enough for any American who care about history (I should mention that I'm white, of Italian descent), as well as for anyone seeking to understand this country.
Besides that, I should underscore what others have pointed out, namely, that the negative reviews you see here are completely uninformed-- and in fact were posted before the first episode aired. Shame on whoever put such destructive notes up.
The 1619 Project
magusi-soup28 January 2023
I've read through a bunch of the 1-star reviews and noticed that none of them actually address anything that is IN the episodes. Many of them claim that the documentary traffics in false history but literally every single person interviewed falls into one of two camps: 1) they are discussing things that personally happened to them; or 2) they are academic experts citing primary sources.
As a documentary work, The 1619 Project is off to a very strong start. I'm not ready to give it a 10 yet because I want to see how the entire series plays out. It's fair to say that it has an agenda but I can't think of any documentary that does not. There are obviously people who will disagree with the premise but from what I've seen so far, it does an excellent job of backing up its stance with verifiable facts.
As a documentary work, The 1619 Project is off to a very strong start. I'm not ready to give it a 10 yet because I want to see how the entire series plays out. It's fair to say that it has an agenda but I can't think of any documentary that does not. There are obviously people who will disagree with the premise but from what I've seen so far, it does an excellent job of backing up its stance with verifiable facts.
Very Well Done
jwebb-3931027 January 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I've watched the first episode, and I appreciate the quality of this documentary. The interviews with history professors, along with quotes from historical leaders are definitely the sign of a documentary and not a fictional story (as a few negative reviews have indicated). It includes both tragedies and successes in American history, showing how black populations were key players in a variety of historical events.
I would recommend this documentary to all history buffs, particularly to those who already know the basics about American history. For example, I knew blacks had faught in a variety of American wars, but I didn't know slaves had faught for the Virginia governor in exchange for freedom. It's a small detail in my life, just a footnote in a textbook. But just imagine how important that detail was to that soldier? And to his family? And to the slave owner who suddenly found himself fighting against his property? Or to any future descendants? I appreciate learning about people who have lived a different life from myself, whether that separation was driven by time, race, or gender.
I'm not really sure why people claim this documentary is full of lies. Amendments giving blacks and women the right to vote exist because for centuries all weren't allowed to vote. The Emancipation Proclamation existed because previously it was legal for a white man to own black slaves. Desegregation took place because separate and equal wasn't very equal. These are all concrete historical events and movements that aren't in dispute. What this documentary does is highlight quotes from historical figures to illustrate that history is more complex than what is taught in a fifth grade history class. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to continue learning about a population that is not often highlighted in history books.
I would recommend this documentary to all history buffs, particularly to those who already know the basics about American history. For example, I knew blacks had faught in a variety of American wars, but I didn't know slaves had faught for the Virginia governor in exchange for freedom. It's a small detail in my life, just a footnote in a textbook. But just imagine how important that detail was to that soldier? And to his family? And to the slave owner who suddenly found himself fighting against his property? Or to any future descendants? I appreciate learning about people who have lived a different life from myself, whether that separation was driven by time, race, or gender.
I'm not really sure why people claim this documentary is full of lies. Amendments giving blacks and women the right to vote exist because for centuries all weren't allowed to vote. The Emancipation Proclamation existed because previously it was legal for a white man to own black slaves. Desegregation took place because separate and equal wasn't very equal. These are all concrete historical events and movements that aren't in dispute. What this documentary does is highlight quotes from historical figures to illustrate that history is more complex than what is taught in a fifth grade history class. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to continue learning about a population that is not often highlighted in history books.
Truth hurts
vachonis3 February 2023
I like the way the series begins with her bona fides, then continues by illustrating the alignment between history and today and why truth matters. Denying verifiable facts of the past will make it easier to deny our current realities in the future. Including the person-level stories of real people such as the interview with a person who was jailed and tortured for voting registration efforts is sobering and relatable, as voting rights are challenged this very day. The documentary illustrates just a little of the high price paid for progress and equality in comparison to current attempts to devalue them.
"A revolution of the wheel of fortune"
nrkfla27 January 2023
Trust me, it's hard for Black people to watch this too. It's infuriating. I understand wanting to hide these horrors. It's shameful stuff. That doesn't make it any less true. When you look at the demographic break down of responses, it's almost comical that folks (new users) created an account just to drop a negative review. While I hope they bothered to watch it first, it doesn't look likely. Sadly, with some politicians trying to bar this curriculum, this may be the only opportunity folks get to learn about it. I'm glad it is so readily available.
Grateful that she was able to present this material in a variety of ways.
Grateful that she was able to present this material in a variety of ways.
These stories need to be told
lauraneidich31 January 2023
The truth about the history of enslavement in the US and the long-lasting consequences is heartbreaking and enlightening. I've expanded my knowledge after the first two episodes, and interested in watching the entire series of 6 episodes. I thought I had learned about American History in middle school and high school, but I didn't learn the complete history. Now I'm wishing I had been taught the complete version instead of the whitewashed version served up in our schools. The old saying that those who don't learn from their mistakes are destined to repeat them is true. As a nation we need to know better and do better.
Wonderful & worthwhile
dbieling30 January 2023
Couldn't help but notice the attack of the trolls who submitted ridiculously low ratings & tried to deter people from learning history. So I gave this a 10. Watched 1st ep & found it well done, looking forward to the rest. But I strongly encourage everyone to read the book. Take your time. Understand the complexities of history, its impacts on society today, & the realities of propaganda perpetrated by those who seek to weaken our nation. The Project has details & nuances that aptly demonstrate the diversity & richness of the people who settled this nation. E Pluribus Unum. The struggles of the earliest settlers & the emergence of American societies throughout the past 400 years have direct bearing on today's cultural complexity as well as the social & political manifestations of prejudice. Don't be afraid to dive in.
Black history is America's history
theodoranorris29 January 2023
The 1619 Project is different: It isn't white-washed, instead, it rightfully positions slavery and Black people (Africans) as the center of U. S. history.
I read a few of the negative reviews on this page and I'm hard pressed to find where, in the episodes, there are untruths. However, I can understand why some would be very uncomfortable with history, especially a seriously unflattering history that they have never heard before.
It struck me how afraid some white people are to learn the truth about the unspeakable savagery of their ancestors. I also believe this fear comes from knowing that white supremacy is on its deathbed and this is at a time when their numbers are declining in the U. S.
I read a few of the negative reviews on this page and I'm hard pressed to find where, in the episodes, there are untruths. However, I can understand why some would be very uncomfortable with history, especially a seriously unflattering history that they have never heard before.
It struck me how afraid some white people are to learn the truth about the unspeakable savagery of their ancestors. I also believe this fear comes from knowing that white supremacy is on its deathbed and this is at a time when their numbers are declining in the U. S.
1619 is Awesome
erinanderson-386983 February 2023
I am so surprised with the negative reviews. It's almost like some Florida Governor who outlawed AP African American Studies, or a former President who did a counter 1776 project, or a Fox News pundit who frequently criticizes the project might have influenced some of these reviews. Anyways, this such a heart breaking look at slavery and the legacy on our world today. I also loved getting more of Nikole's background and family. It helps me better understand what black people have had to overcome and their overwhelming contributions to our country and our ideas of freedom and equality. As Americans we need the full story!
Intriguing
sunshinesabrina-606123 February 2023
The filming itself is high quality. The storytelling is clear and has good audio. There are several interviews with people who lived through the Civil Rights Movement. There are some clips in black and white from the 1950s and 1960s. There is also contemporary footage of voting suppression. I found it interesting to learn more about events during my own lifetime.
The lens that is shaping the story is that Black people forged the US democracy by continually fighting for full citizenship and voting rights. I had never heard this perspective and am interested to see it fleshed out in the other episodes.
The lens that is shaping the story is that Black people forged the US democracy by continually fighting for full citizenship and voting rights. I had never heard this perspective and am interested to see it fleshed out in the other episodes.
Truth
archiebee-423053 February 2023
Warning: Spoilers
There are so many who think they can Hornswoggle us out of knowing our history if we're black. The problem is, a leopard never changes his spots, so all you have to do is look at how things are today, and that's how you know this documentary is true. Problem is, one of the executive producers, left out something very important in the music section, and that person is Oprah. She left out how Michael Jackson made up for the thievery of black music from black artists. Because of her bias against one black man, the most successful entertainer in history, she sabotages her own project. However, this objective reviewer, who is not a member of any political party, calls it as seen, and fortunately, despite Oprah, the fact that she worked with other people, makes it possible, that the final product was not sabotaged. But Oprah's hypocrisy cannot be overlooked. Nor is it an excuse, for those in denial about black history. You see the black still laboring, you see all the executive owners of NFL teams still have white faces. Case closed. You know the history is true. So we'll give this a 10, despite Oprah Winfrey.
"It is easy to correct facts; it is much harder to correct a worldview that consistently ignores and distorts the role of African Americans and race in our history . . ."
jrobertwatters18 February 2023
Most of the low reviews for this series come from people who seem to not even have watched it. You can tell this, because instead of offering actual insight regarding its content, they fall back on played-out "arguments," pointing out that the first US slaves were sold by other Africans--as if those people had a hand in US policy for the next 400 years.
Or, the letter ostensibly signed by 4 historians, arguing inaccuracy with a claim the creator made regarding the Revolutionary War. Again, even if she was incorrect in that assertion--which she admittedly overstated and subsequently revised--it does not change the fact that slavery was, in fact, a major component to the US economy, and it doesnt necessarily discredit the claims of the rest of the series. This is a point that was made in a Politico article by Leslie M. Harris, who strenuously argued against the Revolutionary War statement and who noted that the letter was "just as misleading" in some of its own claims.
The actual series itself is informative, engaging, and entertaining; however, given its content, the knee-jerk opposition it faces from the racist, the oblivious, and the downright stupid is wholly unsurprising.
Or, the letter ostensibly signed by 4 historians, arguing inaccuracy with a claim the creator made regarding the Revolutionary War. Again, even if she was incorrect in that assertion--which she admittedly overstated and subsequently revised--it does not change the fact that slavery was, in fact, a major component to the US economy, and it doesnt necessarily discredit the claims of the rest of the series. This is a point that was made in a Politico article by Leslie M. Harris, who strenuously argued against the Revolutionary War statement and who noted that the letter was "just as misleading" in some of its own claims.
The actual series itself is informative, engaging, and entertaining; however, given its content, the knee-jerk opposition it faces from the racist, the oblivious, and the downright stupid is wholly unsurprising.
People should actually watch the series
taildog1011 February 2023
It's sad that people have come to rate this series based on political rhetoric instead of taking the time to watch and learn. Episode 5 goes further to describe interactions between black people and police/vigilantes and humanizes the victims unlike the demonization that typically happens in the media and from police reports. The episode discusses the history of policing with origins from slavery and the empowerment of white people to question black people for being in places white people don't feel black people belong. My only critique of the series is related to the cinematography during the interviews (shaky cam).
ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!!!!
JetFlix15 February 2023
This is ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!! I have told so many people to check it out and watch for themselves. There are actual real clips from back in the day (during the Civil Rights Movement) that are used. There are actual real interviews with people who personally endured what the topics in the film are about. The music. The history. Just an ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT series!!! So much TRUTH here!!! The TRUTH hurts, but it can set you free, if you stop being a coward and FACE IT!!!! ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!! I have watched it twice already!!!! ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!! ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!
REAL American History
bellamy-163662 June 2023
The lopsided negative reviews are likely from people who prefer their history whitewashed. I read the NYTimes piece and read the book and now I'm watching the show. Watch it and be better educated about the realities of our history. In particular the central role that race has played at every stage of this nation's fraught existence. I am so grateful for the authors and the cast and the fact finders. I am just sorry that the far right has target d the show in order to generate negative comments from people who most likely will not even watch it. Ignoring history does not erase it. Embracing history will help us avoid repeating it.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
