The PEN Pod: The Path Forward with Theodore Johnson
“I don’t know that we can ever erase [structural racism] completely. But we can certainly reduce its impact. . . and I think national solidarity is our best hope… More
The PEN Pod: From Trauma to Transcendence with Alice Randall
“Black joy is particularly radical, and [the book] helps you achieve some Black joy right now—it helps all people achieve some honorable, honest joy.” More
The PEN Pod: What to Expect in the Final Days Before the Election with Suzanne Nossel
“It’s going to be extremely important for people to remain patient, not to jump the gun or jump to conclusions.” More
The PEN Pod: The Power and Immediacy of Poetry with Kevin Young
“I often say that poems are the best form of transport. They change us, they move us, and they move us across time and space.” More
The PEN Pod: Nurturing Children’s Curiosity with Tami Charles
“Yes, this is a love letter to my son. Yes, this is a love letter to Black and Brown children, but this is also an affirmation to all children.” More
The PEN Pod: On Campus Free Speech and Devalued Black Lives with Eddie Cole
“Things are the same in the sense that college presidents are still grappling with how to deal with, say, the traditional white supremacists that disrupt the speech on campus.” More
The PEN Pod: Elevating Stories from Underreported Communities with Tina Vasquez
“The important distinction for me when it comes to movement journalism, in terms of how I see my work, is that I don’t see myself reporting on communities, but… More
The PEN Pod: Finding Inspiration in History with Maaza Mengiste
“What writers and novelists force us to do in the work is to pause. . . And if there’s anything that COVID has made me consider, it’s how we… More
Alert Us
Are you an artist at risk or know someone who is?
PEN America On 
The @IWassociation is on the frontlines of resisting censorship and insisting on the #FreedomToWrite in Iran, and faces the price as more of its members are arrested. We stand in solidarity with the IWA and join @PenSydney in calling for their immediate release. https://twitter.com/PENamerica/status/1600329784512372736
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine is @TIME's Person of the Year in recognition of his leadership during his country’s war against Russia.
TIME also recognized “the spirit of Ukraine.”
Read free: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/07/world/europe/zelensky-ukraine-time-person-of-the-year.html?unlocked_article_code=fMEQhgQDDPYsHCldR4o9_Na0SfwhKPhTF8WfProkIh7jA8Cr-VIJqJqH5JVpHqWwAAwfOCa6EuGzA7VTLkXWZ7hlX1DER7Am_ahCxFy7_wuSM6Fn2niCWBLjXKmKV3PVkW7cFDdElCIxHWXzRXKYlp0ME5xPOjr5tZWvDd_qpyPRKGUuI3RrmfqrBRQsyB1hSZOa6ItrJeDkpR27W0S-2YE_CNac6RwN3iP4CsdypB8VsaBBe5w5n44IdPNEod0lCuB1mhKa3ZbHfaFjpaQ-BxZWXM6CTY-zVxX7IpVqn6px9USpo3aDMq8VuLgspbsZJKgfl_2zS5kQqx7bTVt-n3hthgSnIZ6qZLWgH7my3D9fihTPstfi&smid=tw-share #Zelensky #Ukraine #PersonOfTheYear
League City, Texas has voted to restrict access of certain types of books from its public library.
Most of the 63 speakers—including educators, a NASA engineer, military members, and librarians—argued against the resolution, citing government over-reach. https://abc13.com/league-city-council-texas-book-ban-restrictions-books-on-rape-and-bondage/12536465/