Velshi Banned Book Club: “The 1619 Project: Born on the Water” by Renée Watson

By reframing U.S. history by placing the realities of slavery at the center of it, Nikole Hannah-Jones’ landmark initiative “The 1619 Project” offers answers to questions of identity, belonging, and origin for Black Americans. But what about for Black children? Today’s Velshi Banned Book Club meeting will examine the children’s adaptation called “The 1619 Project: Born on the Water”. Lyrically written with beautiful illustrations, “Born on the Water” tells the story of a young girl who receives a family tree assignment in school. The rest, as they say, is history. Co-author Renée Watson & illustrator by Nikkolas Smith join the Velshi Banned Book Club.