The Trayvon Generation

At the height of the racial reckoning brought forth by the tragic murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor, poet and literary icon Elizabeth Alexander penned a mother’s meditation on the effects of ongoing racial turmoil on the collective psyche of Black youth. The essay went viral, resonating with people from across racial lines and generations. One of the most awaited releases in 2022, The Trayvon Generation continues the conversation about the utility and power of art and creativity to illuminate the ongoing struggle for racial equity. Alexander’s poetic prose is accompanied by illustrations of paintings, sculptures, and mixed media created by Black artists, depicting the Black experience.

Only a writer of Alexander’s wit and insight can simultaneously appeal to both our hearts and minds by showing how Black creativity and imagination has sustained the community despite enduring horrific trauma. She insists upon the gravity and urgency of the problem of race in America with a wide-eyed tenderness. The author expresses pure love for young Black artists and creators who pour deep concern and profound agony into their craft to create meaning and connections through the culture. She invites us to reflect upon the dire state inequalities affecting Black Americans and ponder about our shared responsibility to create a racially just future.