The traditional origin story never fit Black Americans’ lived experience.

Evidence

But for Black Americans, the traditional origin story has never rung true. Black Americans understand that we have been taught the history of a country that does not exist. What I have heard again and again since the original project was published is that the 1619 Project, for many people, finally made America make sense. — Nikole Hannah-Jones et al., The 1619 Project, 61