A project that teaches about slavery in the United States which the Iowa Legislature sought to ban in schools last year will be the center of a book discussion series hosted by the Washington for Justice organization.

The group is sponsoring a monthly discussion now through September beginning this Saturday at the Washington Public Library to discuss a book publication of The 1619 Project. Launched in 2019, with a special issue of The New York Times Magazine, it includes essays and creative works by journalists, historians, and artists which illuminate the legacy of slavery in the contemporary U.S. and highlights the contributions of Black Americans to every aspect of American society. Washington for Justice member Dan Henderson and resident Carol Ray are co-leading the discussion of the book created by Iowa native Nikole Hannah-Jones, “It changes the narrative of American History away from being white-centered history so much to being Black-centered history and that was the intent. The intent of the book is to recenter history in a way that is different than what we’re used to. So I think it’s going to challenge us quite a bit. I think it’s going to open our minds quite a bit, a different way of looking at history.”

Governor Kim Reynolds signed a law last year banning teaching concepts such as the U.S. or Iowa being systemically racist in classrooms and government diversity training. Henderson says there is limited space available for those interested in registering for the discussion, but the former history teacher hopes to maybe this time next year lead a community-based class on Black history in Washington. Contact Henderson at danleehen55@gmail.com or Ray at artimesia@iowatelecom.net to register.