ISSUE 004: STRANGE WORLD, ALLYSON
ISSUE 004: STRANGE WORLD, ALLYSON
ON THE COVER: Allyson Felix photographed by Andre D. Wagner
Allyson Felix spent nearly two decades as a professional track and field athlete competing in the 100 meters, 200 meters, and 400 meters–winning in the 100 meters, 200 meters, and 400 meters. Allyson, the most decorated track and field athlete, won a record 11 Olympic medals and 20 World Championship medals before announcing her retirement from the sport in 2022. However, Allyson never quite stopped running; the track simply changed.
Over the last three years, Allyson, now a mother of two, has dedicated herself to a new sort of race as a powerhouse advocate for mothers, professional athletes who choose to be mothers and Black mothers.
For Issue 004, Strange World, the mother and most decorated track and field athlete in history talks to Citizen senior editor Nora Taylor about where her determination comes from and who she does it all for.
Amy Sall, Angelina Mamoun-Bergenwall, Caleb Azumah Nelson, Chieska Fortune Smith, Connie Fleming, Dawn Staley, Diamond Stingily, Heather McGhee, Honey Dijon, Janicza Bravo, Malin Fezehai, Marley Dias, Recho Omondi, Robin Givhan, Toyin Ojih Odutola, Warsan Shire, Zeba Blay, and Ziwe.
Centered in 2024, Issue 004, Strange World issue explores the strangeness of now against the strangeness of always, focusing its lens on Black women.
In moments in time that feel as untethered, as strange and unsettled as we all feel now, we often reach back for comfort. But what if “strange” and all the feelings that are born of strangeness push us into the future? Who is more familiar with a world that seems at odds with itself than a Black woman? Issue 004 posits that perhaps by looking toward Black women, we might find a blueprint for our way forward through this weird, weird world.
The Strange World issue explores the new and the unknown—the strange people, the strange moments, and the strange ideas we all seem to be wrestling.