Taxpayers in Northern Virginia are reportedly furious after a local public library wrote controversial “1619 Project” author Nicole Hannah-Jones a check for $33,350 for her upcoming one-hour lecture.
Hannah-Jones, the New York Times magazine correspondent whose 2019 series “The 1619 Project” espouses the view that slavery was a major driving force behind the American Revolution, will give a talk Feb. 19 at the McLean Community Center in Fairfax. Booked for
The $555.83 per minute speaking fee is being paid mostly by the Fairfax County Public Library, which is picking up $29,350 of the $33,350 tab, while the community center will pay the rest. According to the Fairfax County Times.
Last month, the Fairfax County Library paid a $22,500 bidding fee to Ibram X. Kendi, author of books such as “How to be an Antiracist,” “How to Raise an Antiracist” and “Antiracist Baby.”
Candy, who is considered a proponent of “critical race theory,” which believes that racial prejudice is inherent in many parts of Western society, reportedly participated in a virtual debate.
Fairfax County has been one of the focal points of an intense public debate over whether critical race theory should be taught to school children.
The combined $55,850 paid to Hannah-Jones and Kendi, which is more than the annual starting salary of a Fairfax County librarian, prompted local residents to express outrage, especially when the library was closed last year. In the summer, work hours were forced to be reduced due to “continuing staffing”. Recruitment Challenges”.
“By my estimates, the Fairfax County Public Library is using over $60,000 in taxpayer funds to host Abram Candy and Nicole Hanna-Jones,” local resident William Denk told the Fairfax County Times.
“I would like to see the Board of Supervisors reach out to Candy and Hannah Jones and ask that they return these funds to Fairfax County to help our local homeless population.”
Fairfax County Library Director Jessica Hudson gave a statement to The Post that read: “The McLean Community Center (MCC) and Fairfax County Public Library (FCPL) offer a variety of programs of interest to our diverse community. “
“For many years, The Alden [Theater] And FCPL has partnered to present renowned authors through MCC’s Perspectives Speaker Series.”
Hudson added: “This year, for Black History Month, we’re partnering to bring in Pulitzer Prize winner Nicole Hanna-Jones, who will discuss her work on the 1619 Project.”
“Admission to the event is free (registration required) as are many MCC and FCPL events,” Hudson said in the statement.
“This facilitates access for patrons who would otherwise be unable to attend due to financial limitations and is consistent with Fairfax County’s One Fairfax policy and the MCC Governing Board’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and access. are.”
Hannah-Jones will give a talk titled “The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story” at the McLean Community Center’s Alden Theater over Presidents Day weekend. The venue has a capacity of 383 people.
According to a copy of the contract first obtained by the Fairfax County Times, the library was responsible for footing the bill for Hannah Jones’ first-class plane ticket for the “nonstop, direct” flight.
The agreement also states that “any additional services, appearances, applications or activities” provided by Hannah-Jones that are not specified in the agreement “may require additional fees.”
According to the terms of the agreement, the “Library shall not plan any additional appearances or activities” without the written permission of Hannah-Jones’ booking agent, the Canadian-based firm Lavin Agency.
Michael Albin, a local resident and member of the Fairfax County Taxpayers Alliance, criticized the library for “misusing public funds for propaganda programming.”
“Now they’ve stepped up to the plate by paying Nicole Hannah Jones $33,350 not for her ideas, but for her star power,” Albin told the Fairfax County Times.
“For his ideas, you can read his book (at the library!) or go online to read them for free.”
Albin added: “He’s been invited to a library talk to sabotage American history and ideals, and when? Get it, on Presidents Day weekend, a patriotic national holiday. If it sabotages our values. If not, I don’t know what is.
“The 1619 Project,” timed to mark the 400th anniversary of the introduction of slavery in pre-Revolutionary America, debuted Thursday as a six-part series on the Hulu streaming service.
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