Earlier this week, yet another would-be gatekeeper offered a list of “[t]hings to know about popular authors before you pick up their works.” The viral thread, no longer publicly viewable, is archived here.
Support for Israel was the poster’s principal justification for listing authors, although she also criticized Stephanie Meyer’s incorporation of Native American story elements and J.K. Rowling’s supposed transphobia. Reactions ranged from authors upset that they weren’t included on the list…
…to requests for a list of books the poster likes so we can know who to avoid…
…to objections with the concept of blacklisting.
Similar lists of “problematic” authors abound online, attempting to censor authors for the fictional happenings of their novels or for the author’s real-world behavior or ideas. The motivation for such lists is two-fold: to deny the author income and to hold the author accountable for their supposed transgressions. Alida Benoit, Staff Writer for The Suffolk Journal wrote:
“One of the biggest examples of a problematic author is J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series. The seven-book series is held near and dear to many readers’ hearts. But it was created by a woman who has been blatantly transphobic, homophobic and racist both in her personal lives and in her work.
“This realization has crushed many readers, ruining their beloved stories and the connection they had with the magical world. Rowling has not apologized for her actions and is still making millions of dollars.”
Benoit offers helpful hints for getting even with problematic authors like buying their works second-hand to deny them income. Her goal is to coerce an apology from problematic authors and obedience to her woke vision of an “accepting society.”
“An author who misrepresents a character or makes mistakes in their writing may be forgiven if they apologize and take accountability for their actions. Writers grow as they write, and like all humans, will learn more throughout life.
“A sincere apology and effort to fix their past mistakes, or avoid them in future novels, might grant them acceptance before they are permanently canceled. After all, accountability and understanding is the only way for us to move toward a more accepting society.”
What do you think of making lists of problematic authors? Leave a comment and let us know!
“Revolution is innocent, rebellion is justified; pick up a pen and use it saw a weapon. Concentrate firepower on the gangsters. The revolutionary teachers and students revolt together, and the Cultural Revolution becomes the leader!
Revolution is innocent, rebellion is justified; come with me if you want a revolution. If you don’t want a revolution, get the f*ck out
Revolution is innocent, rebellion is justified!”
–Loyalty dance performed by Red Guards from “The Last Emperor” (1987)
Nice job. Thanks for reporting the book news.
What do I think about it? These people are scum. Never apologize. Wait. There’s another term. Cancel pigs.
I am waiting for that wonderful day when the word “problematic” is finally cancelled. Has there ever been a word in the English language misused more for smug, condescending, passive-aggression?