Writing contest on “My Generation Speaks About Race” seeks entries

A writing contest inspired by the book “The Fire This Time: A New Generation Speaks About Race” seeks essays, letters or poems by teens and adults through March 19.

The book, edited by Jesmyn Ward, is a collection of essays written in response to James Baldwin’s “The Fire Next Time” and features work by contemporary writers as they reflect on the past, present and future of race in America. The book is divided into three categories that will serve as themes for the writing contest, called “My Generation Speaks About Race.”

The themes are Legacy (Shining Light on the Darkest Corners of Our History) for teens ages 13-17; Reckoning (Wrestling with Our Current Predicament) for ages 18-24; and Jubilee (Envisioning a Better Future) for ages 25 and older.

The contest is sponsored by the Oceanside Public Library and North County San Diego NAACP. The library will provide a free copy of “The Fire This Time,” which can be picked up at the Civic Center or Mission Branch libraries while supplies last.

The contest is part of a Book to Action grant from the California Center for the Book. Book to Action is a program of the California Library Association, supported by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Contest rules are one entry per person and submissions should be no longer than 500 words. Include your name, email and age as part of the submission and format the writing with 1-inch margins, 12-point Times New Roman font and double spacing.

Winners in each category will receive a $250 cash prize and will be invited to participate in a special program hosted by the library.

Essays are due by midnight March 19.

Visit oceanside.librariesshare.com/mygeneration.

— Linda McIntosh is a writer for The San Diego Union-Tribune