angryHere's the thing: No one involved in this fight is saying "you should never use your freedom of speech." Not to anyone, not at all. We are, after all, not the government. What we are saying is "you didn't buy the 'freedom from consequences' expansion pack." And really, that's what's being requested here: not freedom of speech, but freedom from the consequences of speaking.
"Sure, I called another professional in my field sub-human because I dislike their race/religion/choice of ice cream flavors! But I'm allowed! I have FREEDOM OF SPEECH."
"Sure, I told that fatso urban fantasy author to lose some weight and brush her hair so that we could take her seriously as a writer! But I'm allowed! I have FREEDOM OF SPEECH."
"Sure, I misgendered another author for funsies, refusing to acknowledge the reality of their existence! But I'm allowed! I have FREEDOM OF SPEECH."
Nope.
Nope.
THE NOPETOPUS RIDES AGAIN.
If someone chooses to say sexist, racist, bigoted shit, that's on them: that’s theirs to deal with. I will not restrict their ability to say it. But there will be consequences. Maybe consequences as minor as me not wanting to have a conversation with them; maybe consequences as major as an editor choosing not to work with them, or an agent declining to sign them, as they would be bad for the agency’s image (and hence bottom line).
These "rabid weasels" (term coined by Mary Robinette Kowal, the voice of Toby and a glorious voice of reason) are HARMING SFWA AS A PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION. Not just by taking time and energy away from writing—which, gods know, is a thing we all need to be doing more of—but by making us look, in public, like this is what all believe. They’re very loud, those weasels, and while they have the right to say whatever they want, we’re the ones choosing to allow them to do it inside our house.
I use my freedom of speech: I use it to say "that ain't cool" about a lot of things. For my trouble I am called a bitch, a whore, a slut, a cunt, a stupid cow, a pig, too dumb to rape, and a lot of other things. Those are the consequences of my speech. And the consequences of those words are simple:
I refuse to stop pointing out the people who use them.
July 4 2013, 03:46:43 UTC 3 years ago
All together, now: One...Two...Three...CLASSY!!!
It's hard to imagine anyone who cares enough to read what you have to say being that vicious, but they are. Always remember, there are more of us who respect and admire you than there are of them. Many more.
If a completely unrelated thought to cheer you up might be useful...consider that this summer makes 28 years since It was first published, and since the year of the protagonists' second battle with Pennywise. Do you suppose they really defeated It fully and finally? Or is Derry due for some more nasty right about now? Maybe the bullies who bother you should go there...
Cue the Beverly Hillbillies...
Come listen to a story 'bout a boy named Bill
Who made a paper boat one day when he was ill
His little brother lost it down a storm drain in the ground
When up from the sewer came a bubblin' clown!
(It, that is...Pennywise...Bob Gray...)
Well, the next thing you know, Bill's brother lost an arm
And children in the neighborhood were coming into harm
Bill had to stop the monster, whatever it might be
With Richie, Eddie, Stan and Ben and Mike and Beverly!
(Marsh, that is...like the one down in The Barrens...)
July 5 2013, 08:29:30 UTC 3 years ago
July 5 2013, 13:07:28 UTC 3 years ago
We're glad you paid a visit to his lair in Derry town
You're all invited back here in 28 more years
For another heaping helping of your childhood's greatest fears!