Black Lawmakers Walk Out As Mississippi Senate Passes Anti-Critical Race Theory Bill
Last Friday, Mississippi’s Black state senators walked out of a vote in protest of a Republican-backed bill that would ban “critical race theory” in schools. The bill states “that any sex, race, ethnicity… is inherently superior or inferior” or that “individuals should be adversely treated on the basis of their sex, race, ethnicity.” Democratic lawmakers expressed concern that these rules could stifle the discussion of racism in the classroom. All 14 Black state senators withheld their votes when they walked out. The bill ended up passing 32-2, with two white Democrats voting against it. The bill will now advance to the Mississippi House, which is also controlled by Republicans. If it passes there, it will go to Republican Governor Tate Reeves, who has vowed to keep “critical race theory” out of schools.
Saint X Gets Series Order at Hulu
Hulu has given a series order to Saint X, a drama based on Alexis Schaitkin’s 2020 novel of the same name. The novel is being adapted for television by Leila Gerstein (Hart of Dixie, The Handmaid’s Tale), and it will be directed by Dee Rees (Mudbound, Pariah). Saint X is told from multiple perspectives, examining the mysterious death of a young woman on a Caribbean vacation. Gerstein and Rees will also executive produce the eight-episode adaptation of Saint X with author Schaitkin, Stephen Williams, Anonymous Content and DreamCrew Entertainment.
R.F. Kuang is Tor.com’s First Guest Editor
Tor.com has announced their first ever guest editor, R.F. Kuang, author of the Poppy War trilogy. Tor.com writes that Kuang “will be curating a limited series of essays to broaden the horizon of voices represented on Tor.com and forge new pathways for the future of SFF. We are thrilled to have her aboard!” You can read an interview with Kuang about her plans with Tor.com here.
8 Most Anticipated YA Contemporary Reads for Winter 2022
These books are some of the most exciting young adult contemporary reads coming out in the first few months of 2022.