This is exceptional journalism, from the music that brings you in, to the personal stories that make the facts real. Amazing

This is a deeply moving, devastatingly illuminating piece of journalism. Outstanding. For all of my ignorant fellow white Americans who wrote reviews for this podcast like “woke garbage”: What do you seek, my countrymen? Do you desire that I build for you gorgeous palaces, decorated with words of empty meaning or temples roofed with dreams? Do you command me to destroy what the liars and tyrants have built? Shall I uproot with my fingers what the hypocrites and the wicked have implanted? Speak your insane wish! What is it you would have me do my countrymen? Shall I purr like the kitten to satisfy you, or roar like the lion to please myself? I have sung for you, but you did not dance; I have wept before you, but you did not cry. Shall I sing and weep at the same time? Your souls are suffering the pangs of hunger, and yet the fruit of knowledge is more plentiful than the stones of the valleys. Your hearts are withering from thirst, and yet the springs of life are streaming about your homes. Why do you not drink? The sea has its ebb and flow, The moon has its fullness and crescents, And the ages have their winter and summer, And all things vary like the shadow of an unborn god moving between earth and sun, But truth cannot be changed, nor will it pass away; Why, then, do you endeavour to disfigure its countenance? I have called you in the silence of the night to point out the glory of the moon and the dignity of the stars, But you startled from your slumber and clutched your swords in fear, Crying "Where is the enemy? We must kill Him first!" At morning-tide when the enemy came, I called to you again, But now you did not wake from your slumber, For you were locked in fear, wrestling with the processions of spectres in your dreams. And I said unto you, "Let us climb to the mountain top and view the beauty of the world." And you answered me, saying, "In the depths of this valley our fathers lived, And in its shadows they died, and in its caves they were buried. How can we depart this place for one which they failed to honour?" And I said unto you, "Let us go to the plain that gives its bounty to the sea." And you spoke timidly to me, saying, "The uproar of the abyss will frighten our spirits, And the terror of the depths will deaden our bodies." I have loved you, my countrymen, but my love for you is painful to me and useless to you; And today I hate you, and hatred is a flood that sweeps away the dry branches and quavering houses. I have pitied your weakness, my countrymen, But my pity has but increased your feebleness, Exalting and nourishing slothfulness which is vain to life. And today I see your infirmity which my soul loathes and fears. I have cried over your humiliation and submission, and my tears streamed like crystalline, But could not sear away your stagnant weakness; Yet they removed the veil from my eyes. My tears have never reached your petrified hearts, but they cleansed the darkness from my inner self. Today I am mocking at your suffering, for laughter is a raging thunder that precedes the tempest and never comes after it. What do you desire, my countrymen? Do you wish for me to show you the ghost of your countenance on the face of still water? Come, now, and see how ugly you are! Look and meditate! Fear has turned your hair grey as the ashes, And dissipation has grown over your eyes and made them into obscured hollows, And cowardice has touched your cheeks that now appear as dismal pits in the valley, And death has kissed your lips and left them yellow as the autumn leaves. What is it that you seek, my countrymen? What ask you from life, who does not any longer count you among her children? Your souls are freezing in the clutches of the priests and sorcerers, And your bodies tremble between the paws of the despots and the shedders of blood, And your country quakes under the marching feet of the conquering enemy; What may you expect even though you stand proudly before the face of the sun? Your swords are sheathed with rust, and your spears are broken, and your shields are laden with gaps, Why, then, do you stand in the field of battle? Hypocrisy is your religion, and falsehood is your life, and nothingness is your ending; Why, then, are you living? Is not death the sole comfort of the miserable? Life is a resolution that accompanies youth, and a diligence that follows maturity, and a wisdom that pursues senility; But you, my countrymen, were born old and weak. And your skins withered and your heads shrank, Whereupon you become as children, running into the mire and casting stones upon each other. Knowledge is a light, enriching the warmth of life, And all may partake who seek it out; But you, my countrymen, seek out darkness and flee the light, Awaiting the coming of water from the rock, And your nation's misery is your crime. I do not forgive you your sins, for you know what you are doing. Humanity is a brilliant river singing its way and carrying with it the mountains' secrets into the heart of the sea; But you, my countrymen, are stagnant marshes infested with insects and vipers. The spirit is a sacred blue torch, burning and devouring the dry plants, And growing with the storm and illuminating the faces of the goddesses; But you, my countrymen, your souls are like ashes which the winds scatter upon the snow, And which the tempests disperse forever in the valleys. Fear not the phantom of death, my countrymen, For his greatness and mercy will refuse to approach your smallness; And dread not the dagger, for it will decline to be lodged in your shallow hearts. I hate you, my countrymen, because you hate glory and greatness. I despise you because you despise yourselves. I am your enemy, for you refuse to realize that you are the enemies of the goddesses. - Khalil Gibran, The Prophet

Woke garbage

The 1776 Commission ( aka the “1776 Project”) was banned by Joe Biden and removed from the White House website when he entered office in 2021. Thomas Sewell and 17 others were commissioned to write an historically accurate picture of the plight of African-Americans and their “journey into slavery” in the 13 British colonies later to become the United States of America. The author of the fictional story “1619“ and the New York Times tried to promote this podcast as fact, when it actually contained little historical research, and almost no fact-finding investigations into how slavery began in Africa. Chiefs and Kings of ruling tribes would sell individuals from warring tribes and those opposing the rulers of the African countries and nations where much of the slave trade originated. (Sounds like what Central and South American countries would do with their unwanted, their poor, their misfits, criminals and mentally ill members of society). Don’t be fooled by the “critical race theory” that was concocted by the liberal left…The early Abrahamic Jews were most likely the largest and oldest group of slaves in the history of the world! They were persecuted in captivity, by the Pharaoh’s of Egypt for more than 400 years!

Important information to grapple with as a white man *myself and to actually take responsibility for our role in our communities and country. I’d ask the white audience that shoots this down so quickly, are you saying this is completely fake? You don’t even believe in one thing that was said? You need to face both the truths and the lies you tell yourself. It’s okay to not be 100%, but to be 0%? You’re just closing yourself off before you can be slightly better for yourself and the world. Thank you for the journalism and stories.

Debunked. Nikole Hannah-Jones is a race baiter, who has tried to stealth edit her terrible writings. She not a historian, she’s an activist.

Fiction and not even good fiction.

History written with an agenda is merely propaganda. This trash has been debunked by multiple historians.

Absolutely amazing podcast. Wish there were more episodes. So informative.

This was a riviting depiction of the struggle of our black farmers. This is still going on today in the cattle industry and I’m sure other farmers throughout this country. I am intrigued by how hard they fought for their land rights even though the government was implicit in the theft of their lands and livelihood. What is our recourse in the 21st century? What can we as black peoples do to protect the future in this country of theft and exploitation? I’d like to hear more about our history, thank you for this excellent piece.

Based on lies, and proved to be lies.

Thank you for teaching me so many things that are not part of our history lessons and giving me the opportunity to share this new knowledge and understanding with my children.

…this is likely the singularly most important information that I have been gifted with.

Anti-White propaganda (to be expected from the nyt). Fortunately, the silent majority aren’t buying it.

Great show. Terrific pacing, thorough reporting, but episode 5 seems to end out of nowhere.

Good podcast

As a white person who didn’t even grow up here, I have a lot to learn about all the injustices that Black Americans have faced and still face today. Thank you for helping me learn, and for the great storytelling and journalism. The recording of the white farmer at the end of Episode 5 Part 2 speaks volumes about racism and bigotry in this country. We have a lot of work to do.

History is the truth. We all need more of this experience. This series was so thorough. I LOVED every single episode. I’m desperate for additional content. And more podcasts like this.

The fundamental root of the divide in America is the lies and reconstruction of our history.

I’m only on episode 2 but have learned some really big things. Unlearning too. Unlearning is even richer than learning - there are levels. How did I never know slaves were mortgaged, like houses? for example. Or that the bundled mortgages were sold as bonds? It really hit me that our country is such a mess because it was founded on brutality and injustice and greed. And the bravery of black people in the civil war and reconstruction era and the huge contributions they made. I’m not young. I’m an avid and adventurous learner, but this had all escaped me.

Whether you are left or right. History is important. I was sad when the episodes stopped.

I will keep this for as long as I can. Please follow up with more information. Great job educating. Brilliant series.

All I can say is I need season 2, 3 and 4…

This situation(s) is actually something I’d think happened in eighteen hundred something. It is hard even to conceive that it IS SO modern. Yet simultaneously, not shocking, not surprising, and not sensible. Of all these such reports and the like that are so repetitive over so many centuries… I only wonder when…and why don’t we as blacks do same with the great positive effects WE share with society??..this would be in honor of other’s great loss and betrayal…we need not their form of freedom, we need be WOKE!

Great telling of the true history of the America founding. Unlock the truth. You cannot repair what you will not face.

Everyone should be listen to this, enlighten and learn true history. Very well told and the voices are clear and easy to listen to understand. My favorite was episode 3, about the music.

Everyone should watch this

I was amazing by the amount of information I learned from this podcast. I hope there is a 2nd season.

Within a couple days while working I listened to all five plus podcast which would have been a shorter listening if I wouldn’t have rewound as often. What a powerful podcast, between the shock & awe of the things I didn’t know, I was brought to tear. It’s a good thing I work at home because the emotions were to strong for sitting at a desk in an office setting. I’m so grateful for Nikole Hannah-Jones along with you worked on this for bringing this to us.

I loved the history and powerful stories that felt so personal. These stories are validation of all the blatant and subtle ways that our people continue to be pushed down. I also loved how this made me know for facts that we are in so many ways brain washed. However it’s a 2-edged sword because our survival and growth is tied to all the lies! Thank you and can’t wait to hear more information like this one 💪🏽💕

This is absolute garbage!

Left wing anti-American, anti-Semitic, racist garbage. Please leave this great country jones, and take American Pravda - the New York Times - with you.

I can not express in words what this work has meant to me. The value of learning truths and nuance that is giving me context to what I see and feel. We need to know the truth of beginnings so that we can be better. If my daughter can read the crucible she can definitely read this!

Every single American should listen to this podcast. It needs to be heard.

So glad I ran across this podcast. Such an eye opener & lots of deep deep conversations. Everything still so relevant in todays world. It’s unfortunate we, as black people, still endure so much. However, we will succeed! “Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise. I rise. I rise.”

I have to admit I cried shamelessly while listening to parts of this podcast. Hearing the stories of veterans getting beaten and hardworking farmings losing their land all due to their race was heart wrenching. I’ve never experienced anything close to this type of treatment but needed to hear what has happened and is still happening. Thank you for telling the story.

Swallow them pills, sheeple.

Will there be a season 2?

If US history had been taught like this when I was in school, I would’ve had the tools to understand current events. And I might just have wanted to major in history at university.

I’ve head the book since it dropped so now I have to read it and if the book is a reflection of this pod in any way, BOOK GOLD!!! I LOVED the story of her uncle and the story about music *chef’s kiss*!!! All the stories, truly & the story about the farmland in Louisiana had me in tears. WE NEED MORE STORIES LIKE THISSSSSSS. Thank you 💚💚💚.

Excellent summarization of how the systems that built 250 years of slavery still drive our societal structures today! Compact but comprehensive series. Tells a true American history in an interesting, story telling way. Everyone should listen and absorb this; understanding our history will allow us to build a better future!

Thanks for your work. A brilliant account of just some of the realities of what it means and has meant to be African- American. Watching all the Hulu episodes now.

Did I miss season 2?

Whether or not you’re black, these are important narratives to know. I appreciate the approach of explaining systemic failures from different industries and aspects. Like turning history upside down and looking at it from the bottom up. Very well done!

These stories fill in the missing pieces of history that need to be told. Further more it shows how Black have the largest impact on every single part of America.

This podcast tells a perspective of American history I’ve never heard. So much of our culture is shaped by the history of slavery. I wished I’d learned this history in school.

Thank you so much for this podcast, you opened up my eyes, incredible!

This is a really great podcast, combining broad swathes of history with personal accounts that make generalities visceral. Each episode is so moving and also informative. I look forward to subsequent seasons.

Very powerful stuff. June and Angie sharing the details really brought home that we still have a long way to go in this country. I hope their story fares better in the future.

Take a look at how people are rating and reviewing this show. You’re going to see reviews that celebrate that these stories and experiences are finally coming to surface after being swept under the rug for such a long time. You’ll also see reviews from people who more than likely listened to one episode and couldn’t handle the subject matter because they’re simply unprepared for a dialogue. If you listen to this podcast all the way through, you’ll discover where you fall on this spectrum.