Letter from the Publisher ~ Syndic No.21

Welcome to Syndic No. 21.

I began this new Syndic-theme series with “Resistance”, followed by  “Slavery”, and now focus on the theme of “Social Justice/Social Injustice.” The response from Syndic authors and artists – including more than a dozen new ones in this issue – has been very positive and affirming. Thank you!

  This  issue consists of 38 chapters ~   I count 31 poems, 22 pieces of artwork, 14 essays,  38 illustrations, 12 short commentaries and 1 video.  For those who might say this Syndic issue is too large, I am likely to agree, yet when I take into account  how much I have learned from these chapters, and now enjoy thinking about the social justice issues raised in them,  I decide to come down on the side of “I wish it were larger”.

♦       ♦       ♦       ♦       ♦

I wish to extend to Bill Berkowitz – one of Syndic’s regular contributors – a special thanks for suggesting that Syndic No. 21 dedicate a special chapter to honor the work of artist Malaquias Montoya who has dedicated his life and his art to promote social justice and to speak out against social injustice. Bill  selected 10 pieces from  Montoya’s portfolio and recruited the necessary commentaries I needed to create the chapter: “A Voice for the Voiceless” ~  thank you!

♦       ♦       ♦       ♦       ♦

You will notice I have used a great many illustrations found on the Internet to accent the subject matter of  each chapter. I conscientiously tried to credit the artist for each illustration I used, but in most cases I was unable to find the name of the illustrator.  If the illustrator or the reader can provide me with the name of an artist whose illustration I used, I would be pleased to appropriately  credit them.

♦       ♦       ♦       ♦       ♦

The next issue of Syndic will be published in February 2020. The theme I have chosen for Syndic No. 22 is: “The Women’s Movement ~ Updated”. I predict that historians will record 2020 as “The Year of Women” and I certainly don’t want Syndic to miss this historic opportunity!

I invite your submissions for this important issue  . . .  Syndic No.22 ~  Theme: The Women’s Movement ~ Updated”.  The deadline for submissions is: January 1, 2020.

~ LeRoy Chatfield, Publisher Syndic Literary Journal