The “1619 Project” is critical in bringing the U.S. up to par in taking responsibility for slavery, and, perhaps even more so, in taking action to repairing the educational standard around slaver and all the ways its influence continues to permeate the United States.

It is no wonder white historians and senators alike feel threatened; Sen. Tom Cotton’s feet are firmly planted in the faith of American exceptionalism, so to him and those who share his beliefs, a curriculum that reveals a not-so-exceptional U.S. is earth-shattering.