3 chapters across the catalog
The 1619 Project faced significant criticism from a diverse range of political actors, including liberal historians and the Marxist far-left. Historians like Sean Wilentz and Gordon Wood signed a letter objecting to the project's factual assertions and cynicism. The hosts express surprise that the controversy extended beyond right-wing circles to include groups like the World Socialist Web Site.
The New York Times issued a significant correction to the 1619 Project regarding the claim that protecting slavery was a primary motivation for the American Revolution. Despite these factual errors, the project was awarded a Pulitzer Prize. Journalist Zed Jilani explains that the theory regarding the Revolution is not considered credible by mainstream historians, leading the hosts to compare the Pulitzer to a "political clout" award similar to the Nobel Peace Prize.
The World Socialist Web Site, representing the Trotskyist Fourth International, published a scathing critique of Nicole Hannah-Jones' collaboration with Shell Oil. A reading by "Dame Jennifer" details how Hannah-Jones promotes a "racialist" interpretation of history while ignoring Shell's complicity in the murder of thousands in Nigeria. The hosts praise the high production value of the reading, which was provided by a listener through the "value for value" model.
