Brad, What you are doing is not only fundamental to the protection of free speech in Canada but is also extremely important to repairing the damage brought about by false allegations and reckless behaviour by some in Canada's literary community. Keep it up! I found your acceptance of Sierra Skye Gemma's apology particularly gracious.
Thanks Ian! Greatly appreciated! Seven years later I think we can say that one of the saddest aspects to this conflict that it pitting good people against each other. I do extend that to nearly all the people involved. An apology can go along way.
I have read all of your posts on the Galloway file, which I commend you for, though commend seems a weak word to say just how much of a service you have provided to everyone in these horrible culture wars. Both those of us who decry outrageous attacks against people like Galloway and those who offered their support (count me in) to Galloway (and you), and those who have engaged in those attacks can learn much from your reporting. The latter, one hopes, might have learned that freedom of speech doesn't permit defamation, especially those that are based on palpable and provable lies.
I did not know that you were also under attack. First I've heard of it. Galloway's case and yours reveal the most unfortunate aspect of the "attackers" mental state. Stupidity. Utter and abysmal. I think it is safe to say that the stupid will always be more inclined to join herds. The herd of the stupid will always stampede under the lash of the mendacious or the vengeful, and those who get caught up in it never stop to examine the facts that are subject to a proper legal, ethical or moral weighing.
I concur with what Ian wrote, Brad. Too many in Canada's literary and academic communities (and beyond) enthusiastically perpetuate this illiberalism, and many more, I suspect, cower in fear before their apparent hegemonic power. Challenging it requires fortitude, and I salute you for taking on this work.
It saddens me how stupid people in CanLit are. You'd think writers would be trained to be critical thinkers. I'm sorry you've gone through this - but am grateful you and others are holding people to account. Is there a brighter future ahead? Is the problem the writing world is just too damn small?
I agree that power is often the issue, but at the end of the day, for me, the lack of compassion is what is most striking. Or perhaps it's just about courage, as I said. To play so fast and loose with a man's life, and with the lives of people who signed a letter . . . this isn't about stupidity. It's about something much more.
This brought up memories of when I got myself in hot water a few years ago. People wrote to me privately to voice support. But not publicly.
Intelligent people. Decent people.
Courage.
But I write that and wonder if a person who watches a wrong be done IS decent.
I don't know.
I just hope that those who committed wrongs here own them and make reparations. For the sake of those they harmed, and for themselves.
I applaud what you've done, Brad. I've watched from afar. Thank you.
Thanks for this article, Brad. As a journalist, I've some idea of how much work went into it.
The issue of blacklisting is insidious and pervasive and is not only happening to successful artists but also to emerging ones.
I’ve learned enough over the fifty years I’ve been reporting that the public’s perspective, heavily influenced by the zeitgeist of the times, is usually not based on facts and if not entirely wrong, then heavily biased.
This has been the case with my investigation into the assumption that marginalized authors are underrepresented in Canadian literature. However, when I present my findings (without prejudice) I’ve been labelled a racist, bigot and it’s frequently suggested that my motivation is because of the lack of success I’ve had as a writer which is true, not the part about my motives, but my lack of success as a writer.
Most recently, I was banned from Canada Writes Facebook group (affiliated with CBC) for suggesting that special considerations for marginalized groups are not only discriminatory but unnecessary and blind judging is a way of removing prejudice so work can be judged on merit alone.
This may seem trivial and besides, I have no career to jeopardize, but it still isn’t fair or right.
If this is something you’re interested in, I’d be happy to provide you with my research.
Otherwise, thanks for this blog and please keep fighting for what I consider the good fight.
Brad, What you are doing is not only fundamental to the protection of free speech in Canada but is also extremely important to repairing the damage brought about by false allegations and reckless behaviour by some in Canada's literary community. Keep it up! I found your acceptance of Sierra Skye Gemma's apology particularly gracious.
Thanks Ian! Greatly appreciated! Seven years later I think we can say that one of the saddest aspects to this conflict that it pitting good people against each other. I do extend that to nearly all the people involved. An apology can go along way.
Great article. Keep fighting the good fight.
Thanks Carole!
I have read all of your posts on the Galloway file, which I commend you for, though commend seems a weak word to say just how much of a service you have provided to everyone in these horrible culture wars. Both those of us who decry outrageous attacks against people like Galloway and those who offered their support (count me in) to Galloway (and you), and those who have engaged in those attacks can learn much from your reporting. The latter, one hopes, might have learned that freedom of speech doesn't permit defamation, especially those that are based on palpable and provable lies.
I did not know that you were also under attack. First I've heard of it. Galloway's case and yours reveal the most unfortunate aspect of the "attackers" mental state. Stupidity. Utter and abysmal. I think it is safe to say that the stupid will always be more inclined to join herds. The herd of the stupid will always stampede under the lash of the mendacious or the vengeful, and those who get caught up in it never stop to examine the facts that are subject to a proper legal, ethical or moral weighing.
Vian, I’m sorry I missed this comment when you first made it. Thank you very much. Your words and support are greatly appreciated.
You've always given me hope, friend.
Thanks pal! We'll get there!
Thank you, Brad, for your ceaseless efforts.
I am grateful for your contributions. I will feel less crazy talking about CanLit blacklists now.
Thanks Oscar!
I concur with what Ian wrote, Brad. Too many in Canada's literary and academic communities (and beyond) enthusiastically perpetuate this illiberalism, and many more, I suspect, cower in fear before their apparent hegemonic power. Challenging it requires fortitude, and I salute you for taking on this work.
Many thanks for the support Edward! Greatly appreciated!
It saddens me how stupid people in CanLit are. You'd think writers would be trained to be critical thinkers. I'm sorry you've gone through this - but am grateful you and others are holding people to account. Is there a brighter future ahead? Is the problem the writing world is just too damn small?
Some people.
Others just lack courage.
I’ve had a hard time figuring out this. The truth is that many of the people aren’t stupid. It’s part of what makes the behaviour so troubling.
It’s often mostly about power and the safety of power during turmoil. I touch on some of this here
https://web.archive.org/web/20180329025508/https://quillette.com/2018/03/02/academic-mob-fatal-toll/
I agree that power is often the issue, but at the end of the day, for me, the lack of compassion is what is most striking. Or perhaps it's just about courage, as I said. To play so fast and loose with a man's life, and with the lives of people who signed a letter . . . this isn't about stupidity. It's about something much more.
This brought up memories of when I got myself in hot water a few years ago. People wrote to me privately to voice support. But not publicly.
Intelligent people. Decent people.
Courage.
But I write that and wonder if a person who watches a wrong be done IS decent.
I don't know.
I just hope that those who committed wrongs here own them and make reparations. For the sake of those they harmed, and for themselves.
I applaud what you've done, Brad. I've watched from afar. Thank you.
Well said. And thank you for the support.
Suing people for defamation in the name of protecting free speech is like having sex in the name of preserving your virginity.
Thanks for this article, Brad. As a journalist, I've some idea of how much work went into it.
The issue of blacklisting is insidious and pervasive and is not only happening to successful artists but also to emerging ones.
I’ve learned enough over the fifty years I’ve been reporting that the public’s perspective, heavily influenced by the zeitgeist of the times, is usually not based on facts and if not entirely wrong, then heavily biased.
This has been the case with my investigation into the assumption that marginalized authors are underrepresented in Canadian literature. However, when I present my findings (without prejudice) I’ve been labelled a racist, bigot and it’s frequently suggested that my motivation is because of the lack of success I’ve had as a writer which is true, not the part about my motives, but my lack of success as a writer.
Most recently, I was banned from Canada Writes Facebook group (affiliated with CBC) for suggesting that special considerations for marginalized groups are not only discriminatory but unnecessary and blind judging is a way of removing prejudice so work can be judged on merit alone.
This may seem trivial and besides, I have no career to jeopardize, but it still isn’t fair or right.
If this is something you’re interested in, I’d be happy to provide you with my research.
Otherwise, thanks for this blog and please keep fighting for what I consider the good fight.