The 1619 Project: A Close Reading with Dr. Oyenike Balogun-Mwangi

The 1619 Project by Pulitzer-winning creator Nikole Hannah-Jones, is a long-form, far-reaching journalistic endeavor, which challenges us to reframe U.S. History. The project is named for the year of arrival of the first Africans to America and offers a historical analysis of how slavery has shaped America (economically, socially, and politically).

We will return to The 1619 Project using a practice inspired by meditative, close-reading approaches to understanding religious texts. Over the course of six weeks, we will engage with excepts, visual imagery, audio sound bytes, and musical samples to re-examine The 1619 Project and to cultivate an immersive experience that moves the group toward a deeper understanding of the texts as well as foster shared meaning-making.

Each session will offer a selection of excepts and materials from the project to inspire in-the-moment interpretations, reflections, feelings, and recollections among the group. While it may be helpful to read the entire work prior to the session, this is not necessary or required. Specifically, neither readings will be assigned nor preparation required in advance of sessions. In fact, we envision that the power of this immersive exercise will come from an in-vivo engagement with the work and the sharing of the “youngest seeds” of our thoughts, feelings, and reflections while they are yet in the earliest stages of germination. Our hope is that what is shared is unrestrained or unfettered and not otherwise censored.

Supported by CT Humanities.

Co-sponsored by Charter Oak Cultural Center, The Amistad Center for Art & Culture, Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, UCONN Hartford, and YWCA Hartford Region.