In this special edition of Jericho Browns Pulitzer Prizewinning The Traditionyou are invited to participate in an urgent dialoguesparked by poetryabout what it means to be human. Including a discussion guide and an interview with the author The Tradition Civic Dialogue Editionis meant to catalyze and inspire deep and engaging community conversations. In 2021 the Free Library of Philadelphia selected The Traditionfor their annual citywide reading program choosing a book of poetry for the first time ever. The vision was for neighbor to meet neighbor and discussin profound and transformative waysthe difficult subjects confronted so powerfully by the poems racism homophobia violence and the human resolve to compose a joyful life. To encourage other communitiescities schools book groupsto follow Philadelphias lead Copper Canyon Press collaborated with the Free Library to create The Tradition Civic Dialogue Edition. The dream is to tap the power of poetry to open hearts clarify vision spark conversation and help make the world a more just and equitable place. And if were fortunate to laugh as freely and share as openly as the poet himself.