The Black Book | Issue X

A Celebrated Generation

2020 has been an extremely long year. Funny enough, our plan to do this issue was halted several times by the effects of COVID-19 and the civil unrest around the globe. With the height of the Black Lives Matter movement shifting policy, equity, representation, and conversation surrounding people of color - more specifically, Black people have become the center of attention. The Black Book is our tenth installment of The Doe Creative Brief and is a Special Edition issue inspired by the work of Toni Morrison’s 1974 book, by the same name. Tandemly named Issue X, this body of work is a sounding board of the collective voices that breakthrough systemic racist oppression. It is the needed representation of the voices of Black people, not autonomous in nature, but unified in spirit through the very lineage that has brought us this far. 

On my 2020 vision board, one of the many things that I listed was to “celebrate my Blackness”. I have lived in limbo of the uncertainty of allegiance to my Nigerian culture, or American culture, as a Black American for far too long. This year has uniquely provided me the amazing opportunity to embrace both, fully. Now, willingly, and knowingly, equal parts Balck-American, and Nigerian, I celebrate, not only my Blackness, but the Blackness and creative voices behind some of today’s unsung heroes and heroines through their art, poetry, story-telling, and lived experiences. In the words of the renowned poet and writer, Nikki Giovani “I'm glad I understand that while language is a gift, listening is a responsibility.”

It is my hope that through this issue, we collectively listen, and take heed to forge our mark in time, insisting that we have wandered the back road long enough; and movements like the march for Black Lives, and Ending Sars, in West Africa, will be tabled and help bring our people liberation. We have made it this far, and we will make it even further, together - By Any Means Necessary. Wishing you all peace, love, and blessings. Be well.

Sincerely,

Jane

Editor-in-Chief