Gag: ABC Sympathizes With 1619 Project Author as Unfairly Maligned ‘Messenger’ of ‘Truth’

Nikole Hannah-Jones was given yet another opportunity by the media today to smear her critics and avoid taking blame for her historically inaccurate “1619 Project.” On ABC’s Good Morning AmericaMonday’s damage control was performed by Robin Roberts, the co-anchor and anchor. New York Times journalist-activist, praising her as an unfairly maligned messenger of “truth.”

Roberts touted Hannah-Jones’s credibility to set up her softball interview: “Now, we are joined by one of today’s most active and passionate journalists. Nikole Hannah-Jones, won the Pulitzer Prize for The 1619 Project for the New York Times Magazine. She’s a MacArthur Genius Grant recipient, and she is a conversation starter,” she said. 

From there, GMA was fixed on repairing the 1619 Project author’s reputation which began with Hannah-Jones blaming losing her fight for tenure at UNC on racism. The victimhood theme continued as we discussed her essay-turned–book.

Roberts praised Hannah-Jones for “addressing” “some constructive criticism from the original book,” by adding endnotes for sourcing. But Roberts didn’t actually present any of those criticisms to viewers, or to Hannah-Jones, to respond. Instead Roberts called Jones a persecuted symbol of “truth:”

The peopleThere are many who see you as a symbol for strength, truth, and representation. However, they also recognize that there are people who don’t like you. What can we do as a nation to have a conversation about race? 

Viewers unfamiliar with the journalist would be surprised to learn that this “symbol of truth” didn’t just add more details to her work but fudged facts to favor her ahistorical agenda. The letter was signed by five historians. Times’ editor objecting to major false claims made by the “1619 Project”, such as its faulty premise that the colonists wanted independence from Britain to preserve slavery. 

Hannah Jones, however, was permitted to call her critics allergic to truth.

“I think one, you have to begin with the truth. So much of the attacks against The 1619 Project and what we’re seeing as laws that are trying to stop the teaching of more accurate histories are because we haven’t wanted to confront the truth in this country,” Her argument was in reference to anti-Critical Race Theory protests made by parents during school board meetings.

Roberts presented her guest with passion and enthusiasm for American history. Her critics, however, were trying to cover up the fact. 

ROBERTS: And that’s why you wanted it in schools. This was not what you expected. Numerous schools added the 1619 Project to their curricula when it came out. Some parents objected and some others disagreed.

HANNAH-JONES: Yes. 

ROBERTS – Why is American History so important to young people? 

In reality, Hannah-Jones frequently shows off how little of history she seems to actually know, such as her recent dangerously false claims about the Hiroshima A-bomb. She’s also a professed lover of socialism, and “free and equal” communist Cuba, which calls into question how unbiased she can be in retelling the story of America.

She even admitted here and elsewhere, that her retelling of American history is influenced by today’s narratives on race. 

As ABC played images of Black Lives Matter protesters on screen, Hannah-Jones opined, “I think children are — they are able to understand complex stories and nuanced histories and it is empowering to actually be taught a history that reflects the country that we see.” She added, “[W]If you take a look at the world, you will see the tension and all the polarization. These narratives that we have learned aren’t able to explain it., but when you give children that context of American history, it is empowering for them to go out into the world.” So basically, she’s justifying rewriting history to make sense of her own modern, political views.

The sympathetic interview culminated with the ABC anchor worrying about the “toll” put on Hannah- Jones.

“Sometimes it is the messenger who gets attacked. How have you handled all that?” Roberts was hesitant. 

If ABC ever took a look at Hannah-Jones’ Twitter, they’d see just how thin-skinned the journalist is to criticism.

Value City Furniture sponsor Good Morning America. They can be reached at the Conservatives Fight Back linked.

Please refer to the following transcripts:

Good Morning America

11/15/21

ROBIN ROBERTS Now, we are joined by one of today’s most active and passionate journalists. Nikole Hannah-Jones, won the Pulitzer Prize for “The 1619 project” for the New York Times Magazine. A Macarthur Genius Grant winner, she’s an excellent conversation starter. She’s now out with a brand new book and it’s called “The 1619 project: A new origin story, expanding the original groundbreaking work of journalism.” So good to see you again. Are you feeling good? Feeling good? 

…

ROBERTS:  I cannot wait to talk more about it, but I do want to say this. It’s important that I find out about Howard at this time. Many people will recall at the start of the year you were denied tenure at North Carolina State University. Howard was the place where you were appointed chair of journalism and race. Was that a learning experience? How is Howard doing now? 

HANNAH-JONES : What I found was that it is possible to accomplish everything that has been told to you to. And in the end you still have the right to be rejected as a Black womanThat we must take these moments and make use of them to our advantage and say we are in control. Howard and I agreed to that, and it’s an honor and a privilege to be with you. 

ROBERTS (Yes, I understand that you are excited about the book. For those who don’t know, explain to them the significance of 1619. 

HANNAH JONES: This is also the year in which the first Africans entered the British colony Virginia. We mark this as the start of African slavery, which would continue for over 250 years in America. It’s also significant as it was one of America’s oldest institutions. Yet, it has been treated as marginal in American history. In fact, the book argues that slavery’s legacy and our history are central to who we are and what we have become. 

ROBERTS: You really expanded on it, because of constructive criticisms from the first book. This was addressed and you added much more. This is what people can expect to see in this new work. 

HANNAH-JONES: Yes. All the essays from the old work have been expanded. End notes are now available so that people can see our source material and how we obtained the facts. Eight essays are added by the best historians in America today. We also double the amount of poetry and fiction in the book. The book features beautiful, archival photographs. The book is a beautiful example of archival photography. 

ROBERTS: Yes, as I mentioned, it was really expanded and the source of it are available so that people can find it. The people —There are many who see you as a symbol for strength, truth and representation. However, they also recognize that there are people who don’t like you. What can we do as a nation to have a conversation about race? 

HANNAH JONES: You have to start with truth, I believe one. Many of the criticisms against “The 1619 Project” and the laws we see that try to prevent the teaching of accurate histories are because people don’t want to face the truth.Sometimes the truth can be painful. But it’s only by facing that that we can heal and continue our lives. People need to be open-minded. You have to accept vulnerability. You have to be open to the possibility that you don’t really know everything. Many of us were taught history poorly and we are not responsible for past events. We are responsible for understanding it, learning from it, as well as trying to improve our lives now. 

ROBERTS: And that’s why you wanted it in schools. This was unexpected. Many schools included the 1619 Project in their school curriculums when it was first published. Parents and others objected.

HANNAH-JONES: Yes. 

ROBERTS – Why is American History so important to young people? 

HANNAH-JONES: Absolutely. The preface talks about how I discovered the 1619 date in an elective in black studies when I was 16. It changed the course of my entire life. I also mention in it that that that tiny window opened to a whole new world of history. I believe children can understand complicated stories and complex histories.Being able to learn a country’s history is quite empowering. [BLM protesters shown on screen]It’s something I believe is so vital for young people. My 11-year old daughter is my own. 

ROBERTS: Right. 

HANNAH-JONES : She understands this. When you take a look at the world, you can see the tension and all the polarization. These narratives that we have learned aren’t able to explain it.But it’s empowering when children are exposed to American history. 

ROBERTS Glad you’re doing well. Sometimes it’s the messenger who is being attacked. What are your strategies for dealing with all this? 

HANNAH-JONES:  It depends on the day. Depends on the day. It can be difficult to become a symbol. My symbolism is for those who love me. While I can be a symbol to people who dislike me, I am just an individual. It is something that I am deeply passionate about. I appreciate it very much. Although there were some difficult moments, the overwhelming support that the project received lifted me up. I know so many Americans are eager to gain a deeper understanding of the country and is open to learning more. 

ROBERTS: You do provide us with a deeper understanding. Nikole. Thank you very much. It was great to meet you. Everyone should know that “The 1619 Project”, the new origin story, is coming tomorrow along with the accompanying children’s book “Born on the Water”. It is available on our Jumbotron.