New York Times, Wednesday, February 3, 2021

Every daily crossword this week, Monday to Saturday, is made by an African-American contributor. Yacob Yonas is a software engineer in Manhattan. This is his sixth crossword for The Times.

On Black Constructor's Week:

I proposed the idea of a Black Constructor's Week to the editorial team when I submitted this puzzle. I've always felt like mainstream crossword venues like the NYT fell short in diverse representation of crossword constructors. For example, I'd be willing to wager that with the 6 black constructors in this week alone, we will surpass the number of unique black constructors in each of 2018 and 2019 (and probably many other years).

Given this unfortunate truth, I often try to think about ways to create spaces to amplify and make space for more diverse voices in crosswords. My hope with the creation of this week is that it might encourage more POC to consider constructing so that it won't just be the same few diverse constructors in these venues. Others before me have done this work, and I want to help advance this effort. After all, I never could've gotten to where I am as a constructor if it hadn't been for Erik Agard and the time he spent sharing his knowledge and mentoring me.

To that end, if you're a POC or are from an underrepresented group in crosswords and you have an interest in dipping your toes into construction, I would love to do what I can to help you get started! Whether it's discussing theme ideas, trading tips on grid construction, or collaborating on a puzzle, I would love to chat! You can DM me on Twitter @yacobyo or hit me up on Facebook.

On the puzzle:

After John Lewis passed away last July, I thought to myself that I should construct a crossword to commemorate his life and legacy. I jotted down lots of ideas for themes, but in the moment, I couldn't find a full symmetrical set that I was happy with.

Months later, in December, I was going through my list of half-baked theme ideas, and I came across my original ideas for this puzzle. After racking my brain, I finally thought of GOOD TROUBLE. It felt perfect; it was his slogan (watch him talk about it). This entry was the final missing piece for my theme set.

Finally, a quick shout out to AOC for making the middle of this grid possible. That section was the hardest for me to fill, and in many previous iterations, it was filled with multiple gunky entries. When I finally saw OCASIO, the puzzle fell into place.

A great man, JOHN LEWIS. Last year, I read the "March" trilogy, awed by his strength and courage in the face of so much hatred. It's a gripping read; highly recommended.

I was curious why this puzzle came out so long after his passing — usually, some constructor scrambles to put together a tribute so it can run a week or two afterward. I do like that it's running during a week where all the NYT constructors are African-American, though, as well as at the start of Black History Month.

The FREEDOM RIDERS ... it's hard to imagine how frightening that must have been. I hesitate to go into parts of our country today because some folks have out and out said they don't like people "like me." To get on those buses in the face of vitriol a million times more intense is bravery beyond belief.

GOOD TROUBLE is a fantastic phrase. That's well worth highlighting, evoking the subtly powerful smile Lewis often gave people.

I wasn't a huge fan of some aspects of the work today — GEORGIA'S FIFTH felt forced into being a theme answer to observe symmetry, stacking themers resulted in OOLA, Lake BIWA is a deep cut. It would have been awesome if the themers had told the story of his life more, rather than being an assorted collection of themers. I'd even be fine ditching symmetry to achieve that.

Overall, though, a welcome celebration of an amazing man, someone who continues to inspire and make a difference even after his death.