There had always been two facets to my identity as a writer: an essayist and a features writer. In the first style I impose myself on the work—I drive the narrative. In the second, I follow the narrative through my subject. But features work best when you have access. Without it, I tended to float into the realm of essay. I thought I was at my best when I could combine the reporting and the essay. “The Case for Reparations” is, for that reason, the best piece in this volume to my mind. But the second-best piece, to me, is the article that follows—“My President Was Black”—because of the access
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