Ain't Burned All The Bright is a portrait of the current political and social climate in America from the lens of the black populace. This project that is a collaboration between Reynolds and artist Jason Griffin depicts the human experience of a black family in today’s world. With the anxieties of the global pandemic, police brutality, and racial unrest the book delves into these uncertain times that threaten the people’s safety and freedom. Through the young protagonist, Reynolds conveys in his poetry the coping mechanisms of those most vulnerable in these times. He incorporates contemporary and recent references including the murder of George Floyd to address the recurring issue of racial discrimination in our society. The chemistry between sequential art and poetry provides an immersive journey that also describes the strength and power of family.
It opens with the unnamed child viewing a news coverage that offers a glimpse into the threats that lurk outside, particularly for black people. The book is split into three ‘breaths’ with each handling the anxieties and fears at the beginning of the Covid-19 outbreak. The period is also marked by the social unrest preceded by the racial violence against black men documented extensively in media. As such, breath is a metaphor for safety, human rights, and privilege in that different groups in society either have or lack it. In “Breath One” the protagonist contends with intense news coverage of his people fighting for a chance to breathe. In the subsequent part, he notes the unease and dread within himself but through family, a chance of hope is on the horizon. He critiques the state of the nation by condemning the failures in society that have allowed for the denial of rights, freedom, and safety for some.
To capture the weight and intensity of the period and uncertainties that face black people, the two collaborators conjure this poetic and visual experience. Publishers Weekly wrote, “As Reynolds’s lines depict Black people facing police brutality, Covid-19, and general concerns regarding safety, Griffin’s captivating collages literally and metaphorically capture a constant state of worry and panic, leading to visual moments that encourage the reader to find solace and inspiration in the everyday.”
