To say it touched a nerve doesnt begin to describe the projects profound impact on our culture and politics.
The State of Florida banned teaching ofThe 1619 Projectin classrooms.
The docuseries hosted and executive produced by Hannah-Jones is contending for threeEmmysincluding Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series.
Nikole Hannah-Jones, creator of ‘The 1619 Project’Getty Images
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DEADLINE:What is your reaction to earning these prestigious Emmy nominations?
Shoshana Guy:Its thrilling… so affirming to have this work recognized.
The team just worked so hard, so it feels really good.
(L-R) Shoshana Guy, Nikole Hannah-Jones and Roger Ross Williams of Hulu’s ‘The 1619 Project’Photo by Maarten De Boer/Getty Images
So, it feels really affirming and exciting and frankly the other people in the category are just amazing…
DEADLINE:The print version ofThe 1619 Projectattracted so much vitriol.
But how would you characterize the reaction to the documentary series?
I havent actually seen the same types of attacks that we saw in the print series.
People have just been really moved by it.
They talk about how deeply moved they were by the race episode and feeling seen.
DEADLINE:Critical race theoryhas become a political lightning rod,nowhere more so than in Florida.
Its really distressing to watch.
I think its the antithesis of what education is supposed to do.
NHJ:I would say Ive had two very different responses.
Everything you could possibly be called, Ive been called.
You get a certain amount of response when he would tweet or his minions would tweet about the work.
But on the other hand, its such an affirmation.
This isnt any president thats attacking the work.
I just saw Arkansas is banning AP African American history.
We are in a dangerous time.
But if your work is not having impact, powerful people dont spend so much effort attacking it.
They dont attack insignificant work.
And shes like, We dont have an option.
We have to keep pushing forward.
I think that that singularly punches through.
DEADLINE:What are your hopes forThe 1619 Projectgoing forward?
SG:Im hoping we can use this as a tool to be taught in schools.
Im hoping to move it forward into education.
And thats the role Black people have played and not gotten the credit for.
