ESSAYS AND CRITICISM
Incorporating Columns and Commentary
Honors interpretive and critical journalism

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WINNER
The New York Times Magazine
Jake Silverstein, Editor in Chief
"Bodies on the Line," by Carina del Valle Schorske, September 19

Judges' Citation
In "Bodies on the Line," Carina del Valle Schorske rediscovers how simple acts like dancing
can anchor us to community, even when pandemic-induced grief threatens to overwhelm us.
The judges described this essay as “kaleidoscopic” and “joyful.”

Alta Journal
Blaise Zerega, Managing Editor
“Butchering the Mythic West,” Winter, and “Falling,” Summer, by John Freeman

Audubon
Jennifer Bogo, Editor in Chief
"What Do We Do About John James Audubon?," by J. Drew Lanham, Spring

Bloomberg Businessweek
Joel Weber, Editor
“How I Helped My Dad Die,” by Esmé E. Deprez, February 1

 
Harper's Magazine
Christopher Beha, Editor
“Put on the Diamonds,” by Vivian Gornick, October

New York
David Haskell, Editor in Chief
“‘Them’ Is Pure Degradation Porn,” April 14, “‘The Underground Railroad’ Is the Cinematic Event of the Year,” May 21, and “‘Cruella’ Is the Girl-Bossification of the Madwoman,” May 29, by Angelica Jade Bastién, at vulture.com

The Yale Review
Meghan O'Rourke, Editor in Chief
“The Wrong Daddy,” by Jeremy Atherton Lin, Spring