Editors’ Picks: The Best Narratively Stories of 2018

Tales of tragedy, inspiration, adversity and triumph, these are the finest Narratively stories of this past year, as chosen by our staff.

Photo by Matt Wittmeyer

He Was Shot in the Back By a Cop…Then Spent 18 Months in Jail Story by Donna Jackel

Photo by Matt Wittmeyer After Silvon Simmons was shot by a police officer, he was the one charged with attempted murder. Now he’s piecing his life back together. “I thought about this piece for weeks after we published it; it’s a testament to the power of investigative reporting and storytelling. Simmons’s story is emblematic of how broken our justice system is, and I’m proud we were able to give Donna Jackel the platform to tell it.” – Aly Tadros, Editorial Assistant

*

Watch Her Run Stories by Rachel Lears & Robin Blotnick

Still from video by Rachel Lears & Robin Blotnick Meet four “extraordinary ordinary” women who are ready to upend politics as usual. “Women breaking down doors in politics made history around the country this year, a story that Rachel Lears and Robin Blotnick were way ahead of when they started trailing four women making longshot bids for Congress. One of those women, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, shocked the political world (well, non-Narratively readers anyway) when she pulled off the upset of the year in June. Rachel and Robin’s feature documentary, Knock Down the House will premiere at Sundance in January.” – Brendan Spiegel, Editorial Director

*

When You Talk Over My Stutter, You Steal My Voice Story by Spring Kwok 

Illustration by Molly Fairhurst All people see is that I'm freezing up. But that space between my words is mine to fill. “I love how this story put me in the author’s shoes and made me rethink how I treat other people. I was also really excited to work with Molly Fairhurst on the illustrations, which turned out great.” – Vinnie Neuberg, Illustrations Editor

*

This Crusading Socialist Taught America’s Workers to Fight—in 1929 Story by Matthew Disler 

Photo courtesy New York, Pub. for National Textile Workers Union by Workers Library Publishers Fred Beal went down to North Carolina with a mission to defend the common man. He left with a murder conviction and a direct ticket to the USSR. Then his story got really weird. “This story gives a vital look at a period when fighting for worker’s rights meant going toe-to-toe with bloodthirsty strikebreakers, and is an invaluable reminder that the history of the American left is more complicated than we think.” – W.M. Akers, Features Editor

*

I Found God at Queer Summer Camp Story by Jeanna Kadlec

Illustration by Sophia Foster-Dimino I left the evangelical church when I came out as a lesbian. Then I found faith again in the place I least expected. “I love this essay because it’s such a lovely example of subverting expected tropes to tell a fresh, surprising story. Plus it’s just beautifully written.” – Lilly Dancyger, Memoir Editor

*

The Daring Diplomat Who Proved One Person Can Thwart an Empire Story by Emily Ludolph

Photo courtesy of Scanpix Denmark/Sipa USA A whistleblower puts his life on the line to defy Soviet aggression. Sixty years later, this forgotten story of subterfuge, smears and suspicious death has never felt more timely. “This is exactly what any reader would want out of a ‘Hidden History’ story on Narratively: an incredibly compelling tale that’s dutifully researched, and both teaches us about the past while putting our curious and often trying present into perspective.” – Michael Stahl, Features Editor

*

Jannie Duncan: “Beautiful Human” or Fugitive Killer? Story by David Howard

Photo courtesy Washington Post Archives She was imprisoned for murdering her husband, then escaped and assumed a new identity. Her adoring friends and employers had no idea. “Jannie’s story is more relevant in 2018 than ever. She was a woman of color who lacked power or standing while facing a justice system totally weighted against her. She was brushed aside, her version of the truth was easy to distort. It’s time we all listen.” – Noah Rosenberg, CEO and Editor-in-Chief

*

Where LGBTQ War Refugees Finally Feel Safe Story by Danny Deza

Photos by Danielle Villasana When you’re queer in the Middle East, escaping war doesn’t mean you’ve escaped the people who want you dead. “This is my pick because it reminds us all that, even in the shittiest places on earth, you can find humanity. It makes me hopeful.” – Yunuen Bonaparte, Photo Editor Be sure to follow our Instagram account, @narratively, where photo editor Yunuen Bonaparte is also running down Narratively's 10 best photos of 2018 this week.