The year 2020 has become synonymous with the COVID-19 pandemic. As the coronavirus sweeps across the globe, forcing us indoors and providing a powerful frictional counterforce to the relentlessly spinning wheels of capitalism, it has compelled us to take stock of the systems we have in place to deal with crisis. Even as ‘social distancing’ becomes a mainstay in our everyday parlance, this pandemic has forced us to reconsider the ways in which we are in community with others and the obligations of care that attend this condition of being exposed to one another.

The Advocate is interested in holding space open for a conversation around pandemics, in general, and COVID-19, in particular. We invite contributions that engage the uneven experience of this crisis, its impact on globalizing processes, the discourses proliferating around it that braid together war and care rhetoric, and imaginings about the futures such a public health crisis can birth. In this issue of the Advocate, we seek to create a forum where hope, anger, grief and calls for social justice can come together as we collectively find ways to heal, personally and systemically. The issues we bring up here are merely intended to be springboards for thought and reflection. Please feel free to write expansively about pandemics, including and beyond COVID-19.

We are interested in all genres of perspective and inquiry on the topic. We welcome contributions from all disciplinary perspectives and particularly encourage interdisciplinary ones. Artistic contributions such as poetry, short prose, photography, or design are welcome, as are interviews, anecdotes, recollections, and experimental explorations. Above all, we are interested in sharing diverse perspectives on COVID-19 and pandemics within the CUNY community.

NEVER SUBMIT, CONTRIBUTE!

Our deadline for draft contributions is June 22nd, 2020. We are aware that this is fast approaching, so if you want to contribute to this topic but will not be ready with a polished piece by then, send us a pitch or a draft anyway. We may be able to publish it in our next issue. If you have another topic you wish to share, do not hesitate to contact us. We may be able to fit those into our general section. Lastly, we also welcome shorter review contributions on new books, films, performances, or exhibits you wish to share.

Please send your questions, thoughts, and ideas to our Editor-in-Chief, Rafael Munia at rmunia@gradcenter.cuny.edu. Also cc to advocate@cunydsc.org.

And yes, we pay for articles!

The Advocate pays $100-$120 for articles that are around 1500-2000 words, and about $150-$200 for longer essays that entail more research and labor. Other contributions like reviews and photo essays will also be compensated for at competitive rates. And of course, we promise enthusiastic editorial support and love from our team!

We look forward to receiving some excellent contributions from you!