Inaugural discussion group of the 1619 Project is scheduled for Thursday, November 14th, 7 pm, at Maplewood Memorial Library.

In our first exploration of The New York Times 1619 Project, we discuss how slavery shaped the U.S. economy, and how to work against its legacy. We will be discussing Trymaine Lee’s one-page article on the wealth gap between the races. We will also be talking about the 1619 Project’s podcast, “The Economy that Slavery Built.” Barbara League-Velazquez of SOMA Action will bring insights into the commonly-held myths that are used to explain why the median white household possessed $13 in net wealth for every dollar held by the median Black household. We look forward to seeing you as we launch Two Towns, One Magazine, a communal year of learning that will result in an action plan for greater equity.

America was founded on the ideal of democracy. Black people fought to make it one.

“1619” is a New York Times audio series hosted by Nikole Hannah-Jones. You can find more information about it at nytimes.com/1619podcast.

To access podcasts and transcripts, click on the links below:

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/30/podcasts/1619-slavery-cotton-capitalism.html

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/23/podcasts/1619-slavery-anniversary.html

Full issue of the New York Times 1619 Project