A Literary Giant and Activist is Gone

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S. Zainab prefers to believe she spills ink but the thought makes her dizzy. She specializes in writing fantasy and horror and is currently holding onto a manuscript while navigating through the darkness. You can find her on Twitter: @sainabwilliams.
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Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o has passed away at the age of 87, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneering African writer whose works focused on Kenya’s journey from colonialism to democracy. Despite facing imprisonment, assaults on himself and his family, and self-exile from Kenya, his achievements gained widespread recognition. He advocated for literature in African languages, criticizing his friend Chinua Achebe for writing in English. In his later years, he battled health issues. Learn more about Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o here and read this piece on diversifying your bookshelf inspired by his work Decolonising the Mind.

AI Revives Blue Books in Schools
Initially unfamiliar with Blue Books, I learned from this article that their sales are surging as a strategy to combat students’ reliance on AI in classrooms. The anxiety-inducing concept involves using these books to showcase subject mastery through essay-style quizzes. The spike in sales mainly originates from universities, where students are expected to meet higher standards for learning. While in-class essays may be beneficial, concerns arise over students’ growing dependence on AI. As technology becomes more advanced and integrated into our lives, there is a need for robust systems to ensure genuine learning among students.

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Sir Ian McKellen Collaborates on Shakespearean Project
While not sharing a table with Shakespeare in matching leather jackets, Sir Ian McKellen is organizing an all-trans and nonbinary rehearsed reading of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. I wish I could attend this production at The Space Theatre in London on July 25, just before London Trans Pride, but I’ll settle for the global livestream. Directed by Phoebe Kemp, the debut production of Trans What You Will aims to highlight gender and performance, reflecting Shakespeare’s themes. Kemp states, “Twelfth Night already toys with gender and performance – it feels like Shakespeare wrote it for us. This reading is about joy, solidarity, and showcasing the possibilities when trans and nonbinary artists take center stage.”

Celebrating 20 Years of AND TANGO MAKES THREE
The banned book And Tango Makes Three celebrates its 20th anniversary! Despite facing censorship for illustrating a happy gay family, the book received critical acclaim and numerous awards upon its release. Authors Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson share insights about the book’s impact, legacy, and their ongoing efforts to combat censorship.

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