Zinzi Clemmons on the Complicated Notion of ‘Freedom’

In her new essay collection, “Freedom,” novelist and UC Davis creative writing director Zinzi Clemmons examines what freedom means in “a world buckling from the consequences of centuries of interlocking injustices.” She grapples with the complicated legacies of Nelson Mandela, Barack Obama and the Movement — and explains why she’s no longer an Afropessimist. Clemmons joins us to talk about what it means to consider freedom today for Black Americans, women and oppressed people around the world. Guests: Zinzi Clemmons, director of creative writing, UC Davis; author of the novel “What We Lose” and the new essay collection “Freedom" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Zinzi Clemmons on the Complicated Notion of ‘Freedom’ is an episode from KQED's Forum by KQED.

This episode is 54:46 long.

This episode was published on Jun 8, 2026.

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