THE 1619 PROJECT: BORN ON THE WATER

Poet and narrator Nikole Hannah-Jones recounts the history and consequences of enslavement for Black Americans in this audiobook. With soothing and unobtrusive sound effects, she details the culture and traditions of West Africans before they were enslaved. Her narration is joyful while celebrating the origins of Black Americans and the resilient people they descend from. Her tone becomes appropriately sharp as she reminds listeners that Black Americans did not descend from immigrants but from kidnapped peoples. Her lovingly delivered author's note at the end touches on her hope that Black American children "come away empowered by the knowledge that there is no shame in descending from American slavery." A.K.R. © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2021]