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| FACEPALM. |
So not too long ago DC comics put "on hold" a project that caused a lot of controversy. Why? Well, it involved a very prestigious sci-fi writer whom we know as Orson Scott Card who's stirred a lot of feelings from expressing his personal criticisms about homosexuality. LGBT community loves Superman and they really don't like homophobia. Neither do I! This writer's vocal opinions really make me want to hit my head against a wall and scream words that would set my eloquence back to elementary school.
I read Ender's Game a long time ago and really enjoyed this book so it frustrates me knowing Orson Scott Card (OSC) is a crazy meanie-head. I really enjoyed reading Ender's Game, and I'm a fan of the book. That's the thing, however; I'm a fan of the writing, but not the writer. My relationship with his work is suddenly complicated and I think it's a damn shame. His older work reflects definite themes and messages that are relevant and positive to our times that we should pay attention to. I can't deny that he's a pretty good writer but a good person? That's questionable.
OSC has related homosexuality to pedophilia and is adamant that marriage should only be between a man and a woman. This makes me want to kick over a sandcastle so much! OSC, you're a science fiction writer! You write stories that takes place in the future and here you are, setting us back a few centuries! If you want to see a positive future, you have to open up your mind a little and embrace changes, forgive, and try and create a positive experience for yourself and everyone around you. Sigh.
I think I've come to an aversion to recommending his work to others at this point and I'm not sure if I'm even going to be watching the new Ender's Game movie. OSC, why do you have to be such a poop? I want to say "You should try reading this book, Ender's Game!" but I can't without feeling a pang of uneasiness building in my gut.
I think there's a moral to this whole ordeal; if you write to spread good messages and ideas, it's only fair to keep an open mind if other people are welcoming your words into their heads.
"That's the thing, however; I'm a fan of the writing, but not the writer."
ReplyDeleteEveryone who I talk to about OSC says the same thing!
As I adore Ender's Game I think this is an occasion (for me) where brilliant fiction can be recommended despite it's homophobic author - it also brings new interesting ways to dissect his work and see where his homophobia is reflected in his writing.
It's so disappointing and frustrating when an author has such dramatically uneducated and ignorant worldviews - especially when you value their novels for their intelligence.
Excellent point! It is extremely frustrating for me to like and analyze their work for how great the message is only to find out that their own personal views are absolutely heinous... well, by my standards.
DeleteI don't really think that intelligence is equivalent to someone's religious or political views, but I really think that if you want to broadcast a message as writer, it's important not to have a closed mind.