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From Opinion: Nikole Hannah-Jones and Ta-Nehisi Coates on the Story We Tell About America

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Jul 31, 2021

Nikole Hannah-Jones, an award-winning journalist and creator of the 1619 Project, and Ta-Nehisi Coates, acclaimed author and thinker on race, dive deep into America's historical narratives. They discuss the tumultuous debates surrounding the 1619 Project and critical race theory, emphasizing the importance of nuanced storytelling in understanding democracy. The pair illuminates the complexities of African American identity and the ongoing evolution of America's democratic nature, urging for a balance of historical achievements and shortcomings to foster genuine progress.

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ADVICE

Journalism Curriculum

Journalists must be skeptical of democratic institutions and acknowledge the fragility of democracy.
Understanding historical context, especially regarding race and inequality, is essential for covering current politics.

insights

INSIGHT

Journalism's Impact on History

Journalism, as the first draft of history, shapes our understanding of what is taken for granted.
Revising historical narratives changes present assumptions, particularly concerning institutional democracy.

insights

INSIGHT

Critique of Past vs. Present

Critiques of the past spark stronger reactions than critiques of the present because they challenge national identity.
The 1619 Project's focus on history ignited controversy, while Nikole Hannah-Jones' prior work on present-day segregation did not.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Challenging Narratives: Journalism, Democracy, and Education

03:40 • 26min

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Navigating the Complexities of History and Identity

29:55 • 5min

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America's Ongoing Journey: Identity and Democracy

35:14 • 21min

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Exploring the Art of Nonfiction Journalism

56:39 • 5min

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Curiosity and Context in Journalism

01:01:22 • 7min

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Navigating Criticism in the Digital Age

01:08:45 • 8min

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Insightful Book Recommendations on American History and Society

01:16:16 • 3min

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You’ve heard the 1619 podcast right here on The Daily. And we’ve covered the backlash to the 1619 Project and the battle over critical race theory that followed. In this interview, Ezra Klein, an Opinion columnist at The New York Times and host of The Ezra Klein Show, speaks with Nikole Hannah-Jones and Ta-Nehisi Coates about these skirmishes, and how they have gripped our national discourse. At the heart of the conversation in this episode is the question: How do we understand American history?

Each Tuesday and Friday for New York Times Opinion, Ezra Klein invites you into a conversation on something that matters. Subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts.

Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app.

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