mjackson148

We’ve been thinking a lot about this question. After 2020, we saw a tremendous amount of attention directed toward Black voices, Black stories and Black authors. But as the urgency of that moment faded, so did much of the attention. That isn’t just an observation. PEN America found that the publishing industry continues to face significant barriers to bringing books by authors of color to commercial success. Its 2022 report identified persistent inequities in everything from acquisitions and...

Many will read this and scoff at the idea that the past can profoundly shape the future. They will argue that looking backward—particularly at the pain and trauma of slavery—is merely an excuse, a scapegoat, or evidence of a victim mentality. They will point to the progress that has been made, the civil rights victories that have been won, and the extraordinary achievements of a strong, resilient, and resourceful people as proof that the past should no longer matter. For these reasons, I need...

At a time when books are being banned, classrooms are facing restrictions on how race and history can be discussed, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs are under attack, the role of Black writers has never been more important. Throughout American history, Black authors have used literature, journalism, poetry, and scholarship to preserve truth, challenge injustice, and give voice to communities too often ignored or silenced. From the Civil Rights Movement to today’s debates...