Black Paper: Writing in a Dark Time

In Black Paper, Teju Cole explores the idea of sustaining humanity and witnessing the humanity of others in times of darkness. He addresses ethical questions about what it means to be human and what it means to bear witness, recognizing how our individual present is informed by a collective past. Through a constellation of interrelated concerns, Cole offers intriguing new ways of thinking about blackness and its numerous connotations.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 05 January 2023
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press

A profound collection of essays from a celebrated master of the form, "Black Paper" by Teju Cole delves into the essence of sustaining our humanity and witnessing the humanity of others amidst the darkness. Renowned as one of the most celebrated essayists of his generation, Cole explores innovative variations of the essay form, encouraging readers to engage with experience not just through passive absorption but through critical thought. Spanning a wide range of topics yet remaining thematically cohesive, the essays in "Black Paper" address ethical dilemmas concerning human identity and the act of witnessing. Recognizing the interconnectedness of our individual present with a collective past, Cole's writings delve into various concerns, including confronting unsettling art, composing elegies both public and private, defending the art of writing in times of political upheaval, exploring the role of black in the visual arts, employing shadow in photography, and examining the connections between literature and activism. Throughout, Cole offers intriguing perspectives on blackness and its myriad connotations, challenging our preconceptions and prompting us to reevaluate our understanding of this complex concept. In his epilogue, Cole describes the carbon-copy process, where writing on black paper transfers the carbon to white paper, symbolizing how black carries meaning and influences our perception of the world.

Weight: 342g
Dimension: 140 x 216 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780226823867