This is a time of terrible national upheaval and unrest. Last week, George Floyd was murdered by the police. This individual is one of the most recent victims in a long-standing history of anti-black violence and oppression in our country. We stand beside the protestors. It is past time for change.

AWP’s mission is to provide services that uplift creative writers and the organizations that serve them and to champion diversity and excellence in the field of creative writing.

To uplift and amplify black voices, we are launching a series of newly created videos curated from the works of our members, virtual conversations, and reposted works from our archives to share with the literary community. We hope these materials will drive dialogue and understanding.

Today we are pleased to share with you the text of Claudia Rankine’s keynote address from #AWP16 in Los Angeles.

I often wonder why as a reader I am being made to join in and be complicit with the belief that white people are the people. It is an equation that rules journalistic, nonfiction, and creative writing. We all know the moment in the morning news when the armed men equals white men—not Black, African, Arab, Hispanic, Native, or Asian Americans.
—Claudia Rankine

Her message is as important and relevant now as when she gave this powerful speech.

We care deeply and stand in support with the black community. Black Lives Matter.

Cynthia Sherman
Executive Director & Director of Conferences