Chicory

Beginning its run during a time of political upheaval in the late 1960s, Chicory was a literary magazine published by the Enoch-Pratt Free Library containing poetry, conversations, essays, and other works. Its purpose was to create a space for residents of East Baltimore to express themselves in their own words, to “reflect the music of the language of the inner city” and offer a view of the world through the lens of working-class Baltimore residents. A wide array of topics were included in the magazine: reflections on police brutality, the civil rights movement, Vietnam War, but also day-to-day life and expressions of joy and romance. Much of the cover art and photography, as well as writings contained within each issue were inspired by the Black Arts Movement and throughout its run an evolution in its style can be seen. Over time, word spread through the community, and it became a project that involved the whole city until funding ran out after its final issue in winter 1983. One could read through any of these issues and find parallels to today’s issues, leading us to reflect on what has changed in the decades since—and what has remained much the same.