‘The truth of history is unbiased’: Ken Makin on race, justice, and hope (audio)

Monitor editors hear from a lot of writers who are eager to break into our pages. Many of them we just can’t accommodate.

But when I opened my email this past June, a proposal from a potential columnist stopped me in my tracks.

No one at the Monitor had ever heard of Ken Makin before he reached out to us. But as I read through his proposal, I was struck by the feeling that I was talking to a Monitor journalist – we just hadn’t met him yet.

By now, of course, many of our subscribers know Ken’s work. He has become a frequent contributor since that initial column on the historical roots of the rage and frustration that we saw spilling onto the streets in the wake of George Floyd’s killing. 

In this special audio interview, Ken shares a bit about what drew him to the Monitor, his approach to reader empowerment, and how “the truth of history” grounds his commentary.

“Rethinking the News” is a podcast that aims to make room for constructive conversations across a range of perspectives, and bring Monitor journalism straight to your ears. To learn more about the podcast and find new episodes, please visit our page. 

This story was designed to be heard. We strongly encourage you to experience it with your ears, but we understand that is not an option for everybody. You can find the audio player above. For those who are unable to