Introduction to Fall NMR, V3:I1

Dear reader, it is once again my pleasure to be writing to you from the editor’s desk at North Meridian Review. It has been an eventful year. First, I am no longer located in Indianapolis, and, as such, the journal has moved to the new institution of Jacksonville State University (JSU) in northeast Alabama. Although we are no longer located in the heart of the Midwest, we remain committed to publishing work in scholarship and the arts. I am hoping we will receive greater institutional backing from JSU that will only improve our editing and publishing processes. Secondly, NMR is still, as of this year, a fully independent journal. Last year I entered into negotiations with a potential publisher to purchase NMR. I was enthused that this new affiliation would increase our budgets and readership, and I was particularly excited that this new publisher promised to be an anti-racist and social justice–oriented publishing house. Yet in the summer I began to see warning signs from several different angles. Previous writers and editors associated with the publisher began contacting me with warnings that there were problems of unfulfilled contracts, verbal harassment, and unprofessionalism. In the fall, when the publisher’s owner took to Twitter to engage in homophobic and racist rants, I knew that NMR as a publication could not possibly enter into any agreements with the outfit.

            Fortunately, we at NMR were able to pull our journal from them, and we have ceased any contact or collaboration with their publisher’s leadership. The biggest issue for NMR, though, was that this whole escapade set us drastically behind schedule. Coupled with my move and health concerns, we were delayed several months. All of this has been a sobering lesson that in the age of neo-liberal slogans, “anti-racism” and “social justice” can often mean nothing more than neon-like verbiage used by actors of bad faith to sell something.

            Fittingly, our fall issue this year focuses heavily on the theme of social justice and art. Professor emeritus Harry Targ of Purdue University joins us as a guest editor, and many of the pieces contained herein are from his careful selection and editing. We also have several other pieces that reflect the diverse nature of the fall issue. This includes a scholarly article by Ellen Taylor, an essay from BJ Bruther, and reviews from Robin Averbeck, Charlie Wiles, and John Lepley. Lastly, we are excited to add a new section this year— Art. Iridessence/Essence Walker joins us as our first artist-in-residence, and her photo essay on race, fat liberation, and modeling enriches this volume immensely.

            As always, dear reader, the North Meridian Review remains a humanities journal for the humane in these inhumane times. Enjoy our fall issue. We look forward to the many more to come.

Wesley R. Bishop

Founding and Managing Editor

North Meridian Review

Jacksonville State University