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“The Fire This Time” Shouting Out The African American Voice

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at SAU chapter.

Titled in honor of James Baldwin’s revered book, “The Fire This Time” shares the stories of African Americans in our current generation. The book is edited by Jesmyn Ward, famed author of “Salvage The Bones” and “Men We Reaped.” It is a perfectly developed anthology of essays and poetry written by a collection of genuine awe-spirited African American authors. 

The book includes the work of Carol Anderson, Jericho Brown, Garnette Cadogan, Edwidge Danticat, Rachel Kaadzi Ghansah, Mitchell S. Jackson, Honoree Fanoone Jeffers, Kima Jones, Kiese Laymon, Daniel Jose Older, Emily Raboteau, Claudia Rankine, Clint Smith, Natasha Trethewey, Wendy S. Walters, Isabel Wilkerson, and Kevin Young.

The collection debuted 50 years after James Baldwin’s, The Fire Next Time, bringing to light a new generation of voices that need to hear. Every piece in the anthology had so much power to it, I highly recommend this read to everyone. These voices deserved to be heard.

Elena is an Editor and Social Media Content Creator at HC @SAU. She oversees writing, edited articles, and posting on our media accounts. Beyond HC Elena is involved in theatre, Quercus, TAC, and is a member of the education preparation program. She also if the workstudy for theatre department, works at SAU Children's Campus, and at a local bookstore. Elena is majoring in Early Childhood Education with an endorsement in Special Education as well as getting a minor in both theatre and writing. In her freetime, Elena enjoys reading, writing poetry, and buying tote bags. Fun fact she is working writing a book.