In her writing, Long Soldier does more than document historical trauma; she actively reconstructs a sense of Lakota identity and kinship through the use of language and space on the page. Her work is characterized by a "rigor" that the Foundation identifies as a hallmark of its fellows—a refusal to settle for easy answers or conventional structures. By deconstructing the English language and integrating Lakota concepts, she creates a poetic space where Native histories are not merely subjects of the past, but living, breathing forces that continue to shape the present. Her recognition as a MacArthur Fellow underscores the importance of poetry as a tool for historical reclamation and the celebration of cultural endurance in the face of systemic erasure.
Joining Long Soldier in the 2026 class is the fiction writer Maaza Mengiste, whose novels have been praised for their sweeping historical scope and intimate emotional depth. The Foundation cited Mengiste for "revealing the human costs of political violence through a compelling blend of history, memory, and imagination." Mengiste’s work frequently centers on the history of Ethiopia, particularly during periods of conflict and revolution. Her narratives often focus on the marginalized figures who are frequently left out of official historical records—specifically the women who fought and suffered during the Italian invasion of Ethiopia and the subsequent years of political upheaval.
Mengiste’s writing is a testament to the power of the "imagination" to fill the voids left by "history and memory." Her work does not merely recount the facts of war; it explores the psychological and physical toll that political violence exacts on individuals and families. By blending meticulous historical research with a lyrical, evocative prose style, she forces readers to confront the complexities of resistance, complicity, and survival. The MacArthur Fellowship provides Mengiste with the resources to continue her exploration of these difficult themes, ensuring that the stories of those silenced by history continue to be told with the nuance and gravity they deserve.
The third literary writer recognized this year is Bryan Washington, a fiction writer whose work offers a more contemporary, yet equally profound, exploration of the human experience. Washington was cited for "capturing the fragile beauty of modern relationships in stories shaped by place, memory, and rituals of daily care." Washington’s work is deeply rooted in the geography of Houston, Texas, a city he treats not just as a setting, but as a vital, breathing character that influences the lives and interactions of his protagonists. His stories and novels are celebrated for their authentic portrayal of multicultural, queer, and working-class lives, often centered around the domestic spaces where "rituals of daily care"—such as cooking, cleaning, and quiet conversation—take place.
