The editorial staff of Thin Air Magazine knows that Black lives matter. In our local community, we protest the Flagstaff Police Department’s racist policies, history of brutality against Indigenous people, and our city council’s commitment to sponsor this injustice. We are outraged by the violence inflicted upon Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) across the United States, and we condemn white supremacy and complicity.

We have a lot of work to do: as individuals, as a magazine, and within our communities. Below are our immediate commitments to elevate the voices of BIPOC:

1. For July, August, and on the 15th of every month, submissions to Thin Air Magazine will be free for BIPOC.

2. For our 27th issue, we are soliciting work from emerging Black, Indigenous, and Latinx writers working in the Colorado Plateau and throughout the US.

3. Our solicitation team (who executes our calls for submission) is compiling a list of diverse writing clubs and collectives to invite to participate in our free submission days.

4. In late 2020/early 2021, we will host a free-to-submit contest that centers, celebrates, and pays BIPOC for their outstanding work.

5. We commit to full transparency regarding our publication’s demographics and will publish an annual report, starting with our 27th issue.

We will continue working to find new methods for Thin Air Magazine to combat systemic racism. Please reach us at thinairlitmag@gmail.com if you would like to make a suggestion or begin a dialogue.