Reckoning with America’s history of slavery

Historical and personal reckonings with the legacy of slavery in America define the work of author and poet Clint Smith. Public monuments and historical narratives, particularly in New Orleans and Monticello, often obscure the brutal reality of chattel slavery, necessitating a more honest engagement with the past. Smith’s research highlights the proximity of this history, as he traces his own lineage to an enslaved ancestor, bridging the gap between abstract historical concepts and lived experience. His poetry collection, *Above Ground*, further explores the simultaneity of the human experience, balancing the profound joy of fatherhood with the anxieties of raising Black children in a world still defined by historical trauma. Complementing this, critic John Powers examines the HBO series *Lanterns*, evaluating the complexities of adapting comic book lore into mature, character-driven narratives that transcend standard superhero tropes.