Why do you feel some states have barred public schools and universities from teaching The 1619 Project?

Why do you feel some states have barred public schools and universities from teaching The 1619 Project?

The trend for “book banning” is once again rearing its ugly head in this country and a book such as The 1619 Project is more than ripe for attack. Fear is the component that drives this and fear is becoming a hallmark of many people in this country. FDR was so right when he said, “The only thing we have to fear is FEAR itself.” When people allow fear to drive their lives, they neglect thought and reasoning. And truth is often feared as it makes one vulnerable. It is most interesting that many of the people who seem to be wanting to ban books claim religious beliefs. Yet, the Bible tells us “know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” I think that these people really don’t believe that they or others will be able to determine what is the truth and what is falsehood and that is very scary!

Fear of the truth! I see so many people I know feel superior because of their prejudiced beliefs. To learn that the history of the USA is not as clean & pretty as they believe would scare the weak.

I think it is obvious as to who is banning books, including The 1619 Project, and also banning discussions about race and diversity in many "red" states. It's ridiculous to think that more knowledge is wrong!
My only way to try to understand the mindset of such people is to pity them for being afraid of change.

It’s ridiculous. Banning books and thereby discussion of the book is ridiculous. If you don’t like a book, discuss it with people, explain. Banning a book does not result in the ideas and thoughts elimination.

Hmmm. Let me see? The truth hurts?!?! Ignorance. That's all. People in favor of banning books - any book - should move to Russia.

I live in one of these states. It is a challenge to address this question without becoming too political, but I am going to try. In the beginning, the book banning seemed to be a way to attract headlines, create chaos, and divert from other social wrongdoings. And maybe it was. But I have come to believe it is part of a larger extremist agenda to create a society of loyalists and followers in only their cause. They do not inherently believe in equal rights and need to rewrite history to gain power and control over others.

Doesn't this just show how strong the written word is? That some people are so afraid of it that they want it banned? Too eerily reminiscent of Nazi Germany for me. First they ban, then they burn.

I think it is a political talking point. Critical Race Theory has been demonized. In these same places there is a push to ban books in schools and to monitor what history teachers are teaching and what history books include. The leadership in these states would like to control what the majority of the people think and to incite fear in the populace.

It's such a ridiculous response. It's so immature to try to deny the truth. It's like a five-year-old sticking his fingers in his ears and saying "la-la-la I can't hear you!" What are they so afraid of?

Because they are afraid.

Totally agree with Muse here. Fear of losing what supremacy and power they have.
These places banning are trying to desperately hang on to what authority and power they have, it’s truly sad.

Yes, I believe that fear is a component, but I also believe that power, supremacy, and maintaining public ignorance is the larger reason for banning "The 1619 Project". Just as the slaveholders maintained their status through power and keeping the enslaved ignorant, the current conservative groups are maintaining their status through book banning. They are fearful, but more than that they want the supremacy over everything that everyone in this country does. What better way than to deny the young the truth. They just might see the powerful for what they are.

Related to overall book banning, I believe the same applies. These so-called Christians (and I am a Christian who practices my faith) believe that they know better than anyone what is best for everyone. If something lies outside their viewpoint, then it automatically is wrong. Any book that discusses ideas or lifestyles outside their viewpoint is wrong and should not be allowed. How ironic; Jesus did not fall in line with the Pharisee's viewpoint and preached inclusion. Yet these "Christians" preach exclusion and condemnation.

Fear of an educated population is probably the main reason. If you ban books in schools, you keep the younger population ignorant of new ideas that threaten those currently in power. I don't understand the current books banning craze, has no one read any history of what happens when this mindset takes over? It's a disgrace and no one really seems to care that it is happening. Project 1619 should be required reading - I learned so much from the book and it should be read by everyone.

I thoroughly “enjoyed” reading the opinions posted for this question and I agree with all of them.

I think there are a multitude of reasons for not allowing teaching of the 1619 Project - fear, ignorance, it doesn't fit in with their world view, they think they know best, they want to keep the power they have, they don't want to lose something, selfishness, following someone else's lead, only wanted stuff around that reinforces their current views - I'm sure I could go on....

Most of the responses to this question specifically touch on either fear or “the truth hurts” (Muse 48), both of which I agree with. An additional reason for banning this book is that many adults are just not comfortable facilitating or participating in discussions about slavery. That can be because of a variety of reasons including an inadequate knowledge base or an inability unable to facilitate respectful, informative conversations, etc. It’s far easier to hide heads in the sand and ignore the world around us than tackling a difficult conversation and learning from others. It also means that some would have to acknowledge that while some things have gotten better, much more needs to be done.

It is very heartening to read the comments above. I applaud them all.

I must say the when I went to apply for positions as a history teacher armed with my degrees, I was told that History course positions were filled by coaches as the answers were, conveniently, in the back pages of the text. Also, high school students took only two courses per year in history...one year of World History and one of American History. Very rarely did any History class reach as far as World War 11 which ended 75 years ago.

The situation described was the case both in Oregon and California.

I ended up teaching English for years, having to get another degree in the evenings, but I never regretted the 6 years in the study of History.

And, in was so easy to bring in my favorite subject when teaching literature.