In Defense of Freedom - of the Press and the Academy

July 12, 2021 ☼ 1619hannah-jonesunc

Source: Steady - Link

A full accounting of our nation’s multitudinous storylines requires a multitude of voices and perspectives. American democracy is strengthened by diversity in journalism. This helps us all see what otherwise we would miss. And that is a big part of what a free press is all about. At the same time, it is essential that we have freedom in academic settings. And that those with the money aren’t allowed to dictate what the rest of us see and hear. We all, as a society, have a responsibility to bear witness to injustice. So with that in mind, I share the statement of Ms. Hannah-Jones in full, as it was originally published on the website of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. 

I have no idea why the 1619 stuff is controversial. It’s a way of looking at history from a different perspective with different emphasis. The emphasis is appropriate since it has been suppressed for so long.