In honor of Black History Month, which begins today, LARB would like to highlight a series of interviews, published in January, with established and emerging black authors, artists, and thinkers, including American poet Nikki Giovanni, playwright Keith Hamilton Cobb, and musician Stew, Nigerian-American novelist Chigozie Obioma, and Liberian-American author, academic, and publisher Wayétu Moore. We also think it important to share an article by Laura B. McGrath, titled “Comping White,” which demonstrates, in stark statistical terms, that the struggle to achieve diversity in publishing is still very much ongoing. — LARB Editorial
The Monthly Digest: February 2019
The Chi and the Odyssey: A Conversation with Chigozie Obioma on “An Orchestra of Minorities”
Lily Meyer talks to writer Chigozie Obioma about his recent novel, "An Orchestra of Minorities."
Comping White
Laura B. McGrath looks at the data to find out why the publishing industry is still so white.
“All This Life Made This Play”: An Interview with Keith Hamilton Cobb
In the arc of this actor’s story, he is only ever seen as Othello, Othello, Othello. This is also a metaphor for Black life.
Nikki Giovanni: In Her Revolutionary Dream
Patrick A. Howell interviews poet Nikki Giovanni.
The Convenient Villain
What "Unhinged" reveals is Omarosa’s knack for making her ambition, however ugly or severe, as exhilarating to watch as a horror movie.
Identity Across the Diaspora: A Conversation with Wayétu Moore
A Liberian-American novelist discusses pan-Africanism and the power of black bodies.
All the Poets (Musicians on Writing): Stew
In this monthly series, Scott Timberg interviews musicians on the literary work that has inspired and informed their music.
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