Dear Reader,
The first issue of Boston Review appeared in June 1975. The magazine was then called New Boston Review, published by a small nonprofit and focused on literature and the arts. Vol. 1, No. 1 was 32 pages and sold for 75 cents, in tabloid format, with Susan Sontag in the front and classifieds in the back.
In 1991, with New gone from the name, the magazine took a sharp editorial turn. Politics had always been in our pages, but we resolved it would now be our beating heart. We were inspired by Noam Chomsky’s 1967 essay, “The Responsibility of Intellectuals.” Intellectuals are a privileged group, Chomsky argued, and with those privileges come large responsibilities—chief among them, “to speak the truth and expose lies.”
We embraced that responsibility and saw it as part of a broader commitment to a radically more democratic and egalitarian society. So we focused increasingly on political argument—examining imperial escapades that have done so much damage, addressing inequalities of class, race, and gender, and proposing paths to a better future. Our format shifted too. Because ideas grow stronger through dialogue, we brought scholars, activists, and other citizens into conversation about what justice requires and how best to realize it. The result became our signature feature—the forum—which confronts seemingly intractable challenges with new ideas and perspectives.
After fifty years, we are proud of what we have done. Still independent and nonprofit, we have published groundbreaking and award-winning work by leading writers and vital new voices. We have helped to expand the terms of political debate, drawing millions of readers each year. We have thrived in a demanding media landscape, worked with and trained dozens of talented editors, and sustained a reputation as a home for bold thinking that respects readers’ intelligence. And we do it all without paywalls—ensuring that all readers are welcome.
But we will not be celebrating this important anniversary by hosting a lavish gala. At this dangerous moment, our democratic purpose is more urgent than ever. We face an autocratic executive eroding basic liberties, usurping legislative and judicial power, targeting the most vulnerable in spectacular displays of cruelty—and hoping to crush independent institutions, free expression, and critical thought.
We will celebrate by standing up for precisely those things. In special issues over the next year, we will be keeping faith with the democratic commitments that serve as our north star. You’ll see a new web design, weekly archive features introduced by the writers and editors we admire most, and plans for events in cities throughout the country.
But first, we must express our deep gratitude. This extraordinary milestone was made possible by the generous support of our broad base of readers and donors. Without you, there simply would be no Boston Review. To help ensure another fifty years of fearless argument, constructive debate, and vibrant imagination, we hope you’ll consider making a contribution today.
Sincerely,
Deborah Chasman & Joshua Cohen
Coeditors-in-Chief, Boston Review
