The Attack on Black History, with Nikole Hannah-Jones and Jelani Cobb
Apr 5, 2024
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Nikole Hannah-Jones and Jelani Cobb discuss the backlash against Black history education, emphasizing the importance of academic freedom. They address the restrictions on teaching comprehensive history, book bans, and ideological origins of patriotism in education. The conversation sheds light on the impact of political pressures on universities and the fight against censorship.
Protecting children from discomfort in learning black history undermines education's purpose.
Attacks on tenure and scholars reveal a broader agenda to control narratives and restrict academic inquiry.
Deep dives
Backlash Against Black History Teaching
States like Florida introducing education standards suggesting enslaved people may have benefited from slavery. Conservatives argue against teaching black history, focusing on protecting children from feeling bad about their race.
Media's Role in Propaganda
Journalists criticized for legitimizing propaganda campaigns against critical race theory. Examples include inaccurate reporting, not verifying claims, and perpetuating misinformation.
Challenges in Teaching Black History
Ensuring accurate and comprehensive portrayal of black history in education. Highlighting the interconnectedness between American and black history is essential for a thorough understanding of the nation.
Impact on Universities and Academia
Tension at universities over teaching black history, tenure, and intellectual freedom. Attacks on tenure and scholars reflect broader efforts to control narratives and restrict academic inquiry.
Across much of the country, Republican officials are reaching into K-12 classrooms and universities alike to exert control over what can be taught. In Florida, Texas, and many other states, laws now restrict teaching historical facts about race and racism. Book challenges and bans are surging. Public universities are seeing political meddling in the tenure process. Advocates of these measures say, in effect, that education must emphasize only the positive aspects of American history. Nikole Hannah-Jones, the New York TimesMagazine reporter who developed the 1619 Project, and Jelani Cobb, the dean of the Columbia University School of Journalism, talk with David Remnick about the changing climate for intellectual freedom. “I just think it’s rich,” Hannah-Jones says, “that the people who say they are opposing indoctrination are in fact saying that curricula must be patriotic.” She adds, “You don’t ban books, you don’t ban curriculum, you don’t ban the teaching of ideas, just to do it. You do it to control what we are able to understand and think about and imagine for our society.”
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