Many consumers of the daily news will know Stacey Abrams as the former Minority Leader of the Georgia House of Representatives. They may also know her as a tax lawyer and for her voters’ rights advocacy. However, Abrams is also an author of several non-fiction and fictional books.
Her latest title, “Rogue Justice” was recently bathed in the spotlight at Writers Bloc Presents held at the Writers Guild of America West Theater.
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According to its founder Andrea Grossman, Writers Bloc is a nonprofit literary series dedicated to bringing writers, artists, elected officials, social satirists, and journalists to Los Angeles, who have made a significant impact on our cultural and political landscapes.
Abrams says she follows the basic rules of good writing; if she’s writing fiction it needs to be fiction, and if she is writing facts, she needs to ensure her facts are accurate. But Abrams also says she does not shy away from writing about any topic.
“I try to make certain that the way I tell the story allows the public to find the truth in what I’m saying regardless of where they begin ideologically, and I try to spare no one, but I also try hard not to harm anyone,” said Abrams.
In her novel “Rogue Justice,” which is a part of the Avery Keene book series, Abrams shares that it is loosely based on her own understanding of politics, situations where things can be missed by the system, and how little the public knows about how the world truly operates.
“What I love about the storytelling opportunities that I have, especially with this series ‘Avery Keene,’ is that it is grounded in my own understanding of law, politics, and policy but entirely outside of my daily lived reality,” said Abrams.
So far, Abrams has completed two books in the “Avery Keene Series.” The first was “While Justice Sleeps,” and the second book in the series is “Rogue Justice.”
Promotional materials describe the series as a gripping, complexly plotted thriller set within the halls of the U.S. Supreme Court, where a young law clerk finds herself embroiled in a shocking mystery crafted by one of the most preeminent judges in America.
Abrams says in the series that she wanted to explore the other side of wrongdoing when its driven not by “hubris” or “greed,” but by a sense of being wrong.
“Much of my work in public policy, in government is driven by a very deep seeded belief that people need to understand more about who makes decisions for us, and about how are money is spent, how our electricity get to our homes, or how justice is meted out,” said Abrams.
She continued, “I always want to encourage more curiosity in the reader.”
When asked about the inequality in the justice system when it is distributed, Abrams says equality can’t be demanded, but citizens can advocate for it and when justice is not distributed equally, seek understanding as to why.
Moving on to the upcoming elections in November, Abrams says there are many new laws being instituted to restrict access to voting and that they are deeply problematic.
“We should be looking to expand the right to vote not restrict it,” said Abrams. “We have had in the past those who have worked on voter suppression under the guise of security and that is not their intention, and we need to be aware of it.
“There is no reason to limit the number of polling stations. There is no reason to cut the number of days of voting. There are no legitimate reasons to thwart a citizen who wants to legitimately and honestly cast their ballot,” finished Abrams.
She says she is deeply concerned with lawmakers who are trying to restrict access and U.S. citizens should not accept these suppressive acts as something that is normal.
Abrams also shared her thoughts on what can be done on a federal level to prevent the erasure and censure of Black literary works on the state level. “We have to make certain that we protect DEI — diversity, equity, and inclusion,” said Abrams.
She says diversity simply means all people, equity is about fair access, and inclusion means having a pathway to the American dream.
“We have had DEI and it has worked. So, for Black writers, for history, for the purpose of progress — we must clamor for DEI, not only to be celebrated but demanded,” said Abrams.
“Why would we not demand diversity in what we are allowed to read – what are children can read,” continued Abrams. “Why would we not be arguing over and over again for equity [and] making certain if you put pen to paper and if you have an audience, they should have a right to read?”
She says Black writers have the right to have their books displayed on bookshelves and included in educational curriculums. Abrams thinks any one responsible for denying the inclusion of these works should be held accountable.
“For Black writers, for writers of color, for anyone whose works are being dismissed because people don’t like who’s saying it or why they’re saying it, we should be responding with the clarion call that DEI is America,” said Abrams.
“It our responsibility, it is our right, and it is our path to the American dream.”
