Sherman Alexie is no stranger to confronting controversy. As the author of The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Alexie has both received a National Book Award for the work and been the target of censorship in several school districts in states across the US. Last month, Alexie made headlines again locally when he stood up against the controversial NC House Bill 2.
In honor and support of the LGBT community, I am cancelling all upcoming events in North Carolina. #RepealHB2
— Sherman Alexie (@Sherman_Alexie) April 5, 2016
Alexie was scheduled to promote his new book, Thunder Boy, Jr., here in Asheville on May 18. Malaprop’s Bookstore, who were coordinating the event, released this press release in response:
Our May event with Sherman Alexie to promote his new children’s book Thunder Boy, Jr. has been cancelled by the author because of HB2. We had scheduled this event at Asheville Community Theatre and were setting up school visits. Sherman Alexie is an award-winning poet, writer, and filmmaker perhaps best known for his National Book Award-winning young adult novel, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.
We support Alexie’s stance and have the greatest respect for him as an advocate for independent bookstores. However, this cancellation means a serious loss of revenue for us. We also missed out on a special opportunity to connect a highly acclaimed, inspiring and charismatic author with young readers in our community. What a loss all around for Asheville!
But while Alexie, and many others in the creative sector, including Bruce Springsteen, have stood out against HB2 by boycotting appearances in the state, others have gone the opposite route. In Asheville, Malaprop’s is kicking off their new Authors for Action event series. During this series, the bookstore will pair local authors with local nonprofits to amplify the cause and “come together for good.”
The first Authors for Action event, called “Kill the Bill!”, will be held on May 18 at 6:30 pm at Asheville Community Theatre, where Alexie was scheduled to appear. Among the local authors appearing to share their response to the same writing prompt are Sara Gruen, Jake Bible, Wiley Cash, Charles Frazier, Joshilyn Jackson, Jamie Mason, Mary Laura Philpott, Beth Revis, and Kim Michele Richardson. According to the press release for the event, “proceeds from tickets will be divided among the ACLU of NC, Campaign for Southern Equality, Tranzmission, and Equality NC for their efforts to repeal HB2 and overcome the harm it has caused in our community.”
Arguably, the impetus for this event may never have come to be if Alexie had not cancelled this stop on his book tour. But it’s very likely that an author of his fortitude would support the way our community has come together to respond.