Cabot Phillips calls out 1619 Project curriculum set to hit K-12 classrooms
'Cancel culture' is distorting history to portray the U.S. as an evil nation that must be transformed, Campus Reform's Cabot Phillips warns.
Investigative journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones’ tenure application at the University of North Carolina was halted because she didn’t come from a "traditional academic-type background," and a trustee who vets the lifetime appointments wanted more time to consider her qualifications, university leaders said Thursday.
The trustee who leads the subcommittee that considers tenure applications, Charles Duckett, chose in January to postpone the review of Hannah-Jones’ submission, said Richard Stevens, the chairman of the board of trustees for the Chapel Hill campus. It was never brought before the full board for approval, and instead the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist accepted a five-year appointment to the faculty of the journalism school.
"We’re talking about a lifetime position here, so they’re not entered into lightly," Stevens told reporters. "And it’s not unusual for a member of the board, or in particular the chair of the committee, to have questions for clarification about background, particularly candidates that don’t come from a traditional academic-type background. In this case, Chair Duckett asked for a little bit of time to be able to do that."
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SPONSORS TEACHER EVENT WITH CONTROVERSIAL 1619 PROJECT FOUNDER
Reporter Nikole Hannah-Jones attends the 75th Annual Peabody Awards Ceremony held at Cipriani Wall Street on May 21, 2016 in New York City. Faculty members of a North Carolina university want an explanation for the school's reported decision to back away from offering a tenured teaching position to Hannah-Jones. Her work on the country’s history of slavery has drawn the ire of conservatives. (Photo by Brent N. Clarke/FilmMagic)
Faculty members at the university's Hussman School of Journalism already slammed that reasoning in an open letter Wednesday, noting that the last two professors who held Hannah-Jones' chaired position were given tenure when appointed. They said the journalism school's strength lies in its roster of longtime professionals who worked in the industry.
The foundation that endows Hannah-Jones' position, the Knight Chair in Race and Investigative Journalism, also urged the school to reconsider its decision.
Stevens and Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz said Hannah-Jones could be considered again for tenure before the end of her current five-year contract.
Duckett didn’t immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
The university announced in April that Hannah-Jones, who won the Pulitzer Prize for her work on The 1619 Project for The New York Times Magazine, will be joining the faculty in July. Some conservatives have complained about the project, which focuses on the country’s history of slavery.
Supporters of the "1619 Project" argue it is a critique of systemic racism and the country’s failings. The project is a series of long-form essays that seeks to reframe American history by analyzing the long-term consequences of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans.
However, a number of historians have questioned its accuracy, and critics argue it misrepresents the country’s institutions, including that America has never lived up to its founding ideals.
A coalition of 20 state attorneys general recently called on President Joe Biden to withdraw education proposals they argue are meant to promote critical race theory and the project in classrooms. In a letter to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, they said it was an attempt to introduce the "deeply flawed and controversial teachings of Critical Race Theory and the 1619 Project" to students.
Knight Foundation President Alberto Ibargüen issued a statement noting that while the foundation respects the independence of the universities where it endows chairs, he hopes UNC will reconsider its decision to offer Hannah-Jones a contract position instead of tenure.
"It is not our place to tell UNC or UNC/Hussman who they should appoint or give tenure to," Ibargüen said. "It is, however, clear to us that Hannah-Jones is eminently qualified for the appointment and would urge the trustees of the University of North Carolina to reconsider their decision within the timeframe of our agreement."
The foundation said it established the chaired professorship at UNC in 1984 with a focus on advertising that was later changed to its current subject matter.
Hannah-Jones didn't respond to an email asking for comment. But late Wednesday, after the news spread of the school declining to offer tenure, she tweeted: "I’ve been staying off of here today, but just know I see you all and I am grateful."
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The 1619 Project is an initiative of The New York Times Magazine that began in August 2019, the 400th anniversary of the beginning of American slavery. The magazine describes the project as being designed to reframe the country’s history by placing the consequences of slavery and the contributions of Black Americans "at the very center of our national narrative."
The project was converted into a popular podcast. Materials were developed for schools to use and The Pulitzer Center partnered with the Times to develop 1619 Project lesson plans. However, objections to The 1619 Project have morphed into legislative efforts to prevent its presentation in public schools.
Fox News' Thomas Barrabi contributed to this report.
True Crime
The hottest stories ripped from the headlines, from crime to courts, legal and scandal.
By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.
