Contributor Spotlight: AJ Springer

Why is writing important to you?
Writing has been my gateway to the world. I’ve met a lot of interesting people and had my entire worldview turned upside down after covering stories about ideas and things I wouldn’t have been exposed to before.

I write to learn and to express… and hopefully to change a mind or two here and there as well.

What keeps you busy when you’re not writing?
My 9-5 and my never ending desire to keep up with the wonderful world of professional wrestling.

What piece are you most proud of and why?
You Can’t Celebrate Black History While Destroying Black Futures

That piece was something I’d been thinking about for a while. Every February, I saw people coming out to praise us, but their actions the other 11 months of the year were exactly the opposite. Love is an action word. Care and respect are things that you show. We get anything but, so I wanted to throw out a warning shot to some and a rallying cry to us to start putting people on blast.

What book or books have most influenced your thinking or writing?
The Autobiography of Malcolm X

Assata by Assata Shakur

A Lawyer’s Life by Johnnie Cochran

The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin

Who is your favorite writer or author? Where should people start if they want to read this person’s best work?
Ta-Nehisi Coates.

They should visit The Atlantic or read Between the World and Me.

Where can our audience find out more about you?
My Twitter, the archive here at Abernathy or a search of my name on Ebony’s website. My writing is always a good indicator of my views and what’s on my mind.

More from AJ on Abernathy:

By AJ Springer

AJ Springer is a writer, communications pro, nerd and nomad. Stomping competition is his hobby and job. You can find him on the Internets discussing current events, combat sports, pop culture and the finer points of pro wrestling. When not doing that, he can be found searching for a new home for his written words.