We did it, Joe.

As a self-professed contemplator of the American experience, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama has long been a subject of intense fascination for your boy, because by the letter of the law, it’s “for a distinguished play by an American author, preferably original in its source and dealing with American life.”

But this definition includes my one glaring caveat with the award. 

For my entire lifetime, as stated, only United States citizens were eligible to contend, as if introspective Americans have worthier perspectives on their own country than others. But as my guy James Baldwin taught me in college, distance can breed insights on a nation as enlightening as personal proximity.

So it’s wonderful to report that the Pulitzers have finally rolled back this qualification.

Kind of.

It’s been expanded now to be open to “permanent and longtime residents” regardless of citizenship.

Would I prefer ANYONE who writes about this ol’ new country of ours to be able to compete, which would be more American than the previous ruling?

Yes.

But to quote a Pulitzer robbery:

“Change come fast and change come slow
But change come, Caroline Thibodeaux.”