Inundated by angry messages, an author of a book satirizing children book covers asked the publisher to withdraw the book. The book which was comprised of parodies of notable covers was widely panned for distasteful content and racial and cultural stereotypes. (Publishers Weekly, December 5, 2016, by Calvin Reid)
The publisher, ABRAMS, issued a statement defending the work writing that critics had taken “elements of the book out of context” and failed to see that the author was clearly mocking, demeaning, exposing and subverting hateful views. ABRAMS lamented censoring the book as a denial of artistic expression but did so reluctantly given the author’s request and the “misperceived message of the book.” (Abrams Books, December 4, 2016, press release)
The National Coalition Against Censorship and a number of other anti-censorship groups had issued a letter in support of intellectual freedom and the freedom to read and write. The letter said the groups valued the variety of books publishers bring to readers “with different needs, interests, and sensibilities” and deemed it tragic to withdraw a book after some criticized it. (NCAC, December 5, 2016)
One Comment
Indeed, authors of satire and similar writings should not be punished for being creative. Is the next step burning books? Keep up the fight FAC and like minded people!! Best, Darren Chaker
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