Unless you’ve been on a Social Media fast this week then you know about the sanction against Courtney Milan that came down on Dec 23rd and the fall out from it.
I know Courtney. I’ve had many talks with her about a variety of things over the years. I’ve not always liked what she had to say, but she has always been honest.
She has also been a FIERCE advocate for inclusion and breaking down any barriers and racism she see’s in romance. So when she read a book about a Chinese female character that was hurtful and racist she called it out. AS IS HER RIGHT AS A CHINESE-AMERICAN WOMAN!
As more and more authors of color started sharing their experiences it became obvious that something needs to happen. Then the resignations started coming in, and I watched as women I admire and watched fight for a better RWA realized that the work they’d been doing for years had all been flushed down the toilet.
I’ve been to several RWA’s and loved them. Loved the sisterhood and the laughing. As this week as unfolded, I realized that my experiences were vastly different for many other people. People I admire and whose books I love to read and share.
That being said. a group of readers over at Romance Sparks Joy have penned a letter to RWA demanding better and for the current board to resign. I have signed it. I encourage each of you to sign it was well. Here is the link to the letter. The more readers who sign the letter the more impact we will have. After all we’re the ones who read their stories.
