How Audre Lorde Weathered the Storm
When Audre Lorde wrote from St. Croix that Hurricane Hugo would not be the last natural disaster of its scale, she was pointing to human failures.
10 Poems by African-American Poets
Poems by African-American poets, including Gwendolyn Brooks, Kwame Dawes, Rita Dove, Langston Hughes, Tyehimba Jess, Kevin Young, and more.
Charlottesville Syllabus: Readings on the History of Hate in America
The history of racism and ethnic hate in America is long and deep. What are the cultural, economic, and political currents that led us here?
Book Club Made Me Gay
Book clubs and reading groups have long been important to marginalized communities.
Pulitzer Prize Winning Poet Tyehimba Jess
Tyehimba Jess has won the Pulitzer Prize for poetry. We found 4 of his early poems in their original publications and made them open access here.
When Science Fiction Becomes Real: Octavia E. Butler’s Legacy
Ten years after her death, the writing of Octavia E. Butler has a persistent influence—one that spans well outside of the science fiction genre.
The Significance of Shirley Chisholm’s Presidential Campaign
Shirley Chisholm: the first black female U.S. Representative, first black major-party candidate for President, and the first Democratic Party woman to run.
Put This Poem in Your Pocket
The Academy of American Poets has declared it Poem in Your Pocket Day. We’re not complaining; we’re suggesting you ...