The End of Chiraq

A Literary Mixtape

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Pub Date 15 May 2018 | Archive Date 12 Apr 2018

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Description

The End of Chiraq: A Literary Mixtape is a collection of poems, rap lyrics, short stories, essays, interviews, and artwork about Chicago, the city that came to be known as "Chiraq" ("Chicago" + "Iraq"), and the people who live in its vibrant and occasionally violent neighborhoods. Tuned to the work of Chicago’s youth, especially the emerging artists and activists surrounding Young Chicago Authors, this literary mixtape unpacks the meanings of “Chiraq” as both a vexed term and a space of possibility.

"Chiraq" has come to connote the violence—interpersonal and structural—that many Chicago youth regularly experience. But the contributors to The End of Chiraq show that Chicago is much more than Chiraq. Instead, they demonstrate how young people are thinking and mobilizing, engaged in a process of creating a new and safer world for themselves, their communities, and their city.

In true mixtape fashion, the book is an exercise in "low end theory" that does not just include so-called underground and marginal voices, but foregrounds them. Edited by award-winning poets, writers, and teachers Javon Johnson and Kevin Coval, The End of Chiraq addresses head-on the troublesome relationship between Chicago and Chiraq and envisions a future in which both might be transformed.
The End of Chiraq: A Literary Mixtape is a collection of poems, rap lyrics, short stories, essays, interviews, and artwork about Chicago, the city that came to be known as "Chiraq" ("Chicago" +...

Advance Praise

"How do you reclaim what is holy from a bullet riddled name? Who has the right to hold a city in their mouth? The End of Chiraq is a salve for Chicago from those who live, love, and thrive against the flat narrative of this great city. These poets, scholars, and lyricists transport the reader to Chicago summer juke parties, family barbecues, and raise the joy that refuses to die in the face of political neglect and social violence. Unflinching and unmoved, The End of Chiraq stares back into the reader’s eyes, past the murder headlines, and demands respect before you call a beloved home out its name." —Amanda Johnston, author of Another Way to Say Enter and cofounder of Black Poets Speak Out

"As a Black Chicagoan, I was thrilled to see the rhythms and use of Chicago slang (tha’ go and Chiraq) used in this book. It captures a unique voice, which readers (especially Chicago readers) will find compelling." —Rashad Shabazz, Associate Professor, Social Sciences at Arizona State University

"How do you reclaim what is holy from a bullet riddled name? Who has the right to hold a city in their mouth? The End of Chiraq is a salve for Chicago from those who live, love, and thrive against...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9780810137189
PRICE $20.00 (USD)
PAGES 200

Average rating from 24 members


Featured Reviews

This book its so powerful. The way it is written is great for you to understand the pain and consterne.

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I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

"The End of Chiraq" is a literary mixtape with content that takes multiple forms, to various effect. Every piece in this collection has a clear and imperative own-voices message. However, there are some pieces in this collection that are more successful and impactful than others in both their form and content, and had a unique style, flow and rhythm, whereas others fell somewhat flat in their delivery or execution. Regardless, this book has the potential to speak to a wide variety of readers about a potent contemporary issue and raise awareness from the ground

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