Rediscovering Black History: Jockeys and Memory

In a new study, Namwali Serpell describes how the novelist located the missing stories of Black America.

By Judith Shulevitz

From the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠March 2026 issue⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Get more from your favorite Atlantic voices when you subscribe. You’ll enjoy unlimited access to Pulitzer-winning journalism, from clear-eyed analysis and insight on breaking news.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices