Killens Review of Arts & Letters (Fall / Winter 2015): The Next Wave
Edited by Clarence V. Reynolds

Spring / Summer 2015 “The Next Wave”

With this issue of the Killens Review, we consider “The Next Wave” of writers and artists whose works are in some way influenced by today’s cultural, social, and political issues. In the essay “Calling Me by My Name,” Sophfronia Scott looks back at her name and she reminds us of the importance of taking a deep look at ourselves and that this oftentimes can begin with our name. Reflecting on the poetry of Langston Hughes and Jayne Cortez, Todd Craig connects contemporary music to their timeless poetry. Author and poet Quincy Troupe shares the seed of a work whose idea first came first to him during a trip to Guadeloupe years ago and that he had set aside until recently. Also included in this issue, along with our selection of poetry and visual art by Titus Kaphar and Kia Chenelle Dyson, are excerpts from The Star Side of Bird Hill by Naomi Jackson and Spectacle: The Astonishing Life of Ota Benga by Pamela Newkirk.

In 1926, Langston Hughes noted that “We younger Negro artists who create now intend to express our individual dark-skinned selves without fear or shame … We build our temples for tomorrow, strong as we know how, and we stand on top of the mountain, free within ourselves.”

It’s been nearly 90 years since Hughes offered his credo, and writers across the African diaspora have been and continue to create bold and imaginative narratives in works covering a wide range of genres that have fulfilled his call.