Commitment to read Raziel Reid's "When Everything Feels Like the Movies" in defiance of calls to strip its Governor General's Award
190 Comments
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Sierra Skye Gemma
11 years ago
Not only will I read it, I've asked my 14-year-old son to read it too.
K
Kate Burgess
11 years ago
In solidarity with Raziel Reid and all the young people who will find solace and inspiration from this story.
C
Carolyn Smart
11 years ago
"Do not be a bystander"
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Carolyn Smart
11 years ago
"Do not be a bystander"
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Jennifer Moss
11 years ago
what's next - book burning? Come on people. This guy is just the Judy Blume of today's era. Cut him some slack. He may nto be for everyone - but his work will speak directly to some young people, and be very helpful to them in letting them know they are not alone.
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Lynn P.
11 years ago
I'll be reading this and making my own decision about it. Perhaps it isn't well-written, but the truth being told, and the possibility of young people being spared from suicide is more important, is it not?
D
Darrin White
11 years ago
We need more voices like this, not fewer.
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Tera Kristen
11 years ago
Although the award will not be rescinded, it's important to sign this petition in solidarity with someone who has experienced far worse than I have. Shame on anyone for judging this man's hardship as child as not being "child-friendly" enough - I consider them to be creatures quite unworthy of any respect until I hear or see an apology.
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Wynne Le Roux
11 years ago
Kids need books like this
C
Catherine Cardiff
11 years ago
I'll read it, I'll buy it, and I'll tell people about it.
C
Catherine Cardiff
11 years ago
I'll read it, I'll buy it, and I'll tell people about it.
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Scott Kelso
11 years ago
#FreedomToRead
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Scott Kelso
11 years ago
#FreedomToRead
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Vicki Haynes
11 years ago
Sometimes the controversy means you're doing something important. I think author Raziel Reid is doing something vitally important by allowing these voices to live and by allowing youth a representation they may relate to. Not just as queers, but also as victims of violence. LGBTQ youth are 14X more likely to experience violence, depression and attempt suicide than their straight counterparts. Pretending that these issues do not speak to the lived experience of today's young adult readers is tantamount to pearl-clutching. I support Reid's award.
V
Vicki Haynes
11 years ago
Sometimes the controversy means you're doing something important. I think author Raziel Reid is doing something vitally important by allowing these voices to live and by allowing youth a representation they may relate to. Not just as queers, but also as victims of violence. LGBTQ youth are 14X more likely to experience violence, depression and attempt suicide than their straight counterparts. Pretending that these issues do not speak to the lived experience of today's young adult readers is tantamount to pearl-clutching. I support Reid's award.
J
Jo Treggiari
11 years ago
Books provide comfort and safe haven to many teenagers who feel that they don't have a voice. Just because you might not like the voice doesn't mean it should be silenced. That is the nature of freedom of speech.
J
Jo Treggiari
11 years ago
Books provide comfort and safe haven to many teenagers who feel that they don't have a voice. Just because you might not like the voice doesn't mean it should be silenced. That is the nature of freedom of speech.
K
Karolina bialkowska
11 years ago
If they're old enough to perpetuate the kinds of crimes of the mind that they do, they're old enough to know about the repercussions
K
Karolina bialkowska
11 years ago
If they're old enough to perpetuate the kinds of crimes of the mind that they do, they're old enough to know about the repercussions
D
Darryl Andre
11 years ago
Don't allow homophobia to dictate what free speech is.
Not only will I read it, I've asked my 14-year-old son to read it too.
In solidarity with Raziel Reid and all the young people who will find solace and inspiration from this story.
"Do not be a bystander"
"Do not be a bystander"
what's next - book burning? Come on people. This guy is just the Judy Blume of today's era. Cut him some slack. He may nto be for everyone - but his work will speak directly to some young people, and be very helpful to them in letting them know they are not alone.
I'll be reading this and making my own decision about it. Perhaps it isn't well-written, but the truth being told, and the possibility of young people being spared from suicide is more important, is it not?
We need more voices like this, not fewer.
Although the award will not be rescinded, it's important to sign this petition in solidarity with someone who has experienced far worse than I have. Shame on anyone for judging this man's hardship as child as not being "child-friendly" enough - I consider them to be creatures quite unworthy of any respect until I hear or see an apology.
Kids need books like this
I'll read it, I'll buy it, and I'll tell people about it.
I'll read it, I'll buy it, and I'll tell people about it.
#FreedomToRead
#FreedomToRead
Sometimes the controversy means you're doing something important. I think author Raziel Reid is doing something vitally important by allowing these voices to live and by allowing youth a representation they may relate to. Not just as queers, but also as victims of violence. LGBTQ youth are 14X more likely to experience violence, depression and attempt suicide than their straight counterparts. Pretending that these issues do not speak to the lived experience of today's young adult readers is tantamount to pearl-clutching. I support Reid's award.
Sometimes the controversy means you're doing something important. I think author Raziel Reid is doing something vitally important by allowing these voices to live and by allowing youth a representation they may relate to. Not just as queers, but also as victims of violence. LGBTQ youth are 14X more likely to experience violence, depression and attempt suicide than their straight counterparts. Pretending that these issues do not speak to the lived experience of today's young adult readers is tantamount to pearl-clutching. I support Reid's award.
Books provide comfort and safe haven to many teenagers who feel that they don't have a voice. Just because you might not like the voice doesn't mean it should be silenced. That is the nature of freedom of speech.
Books provide comfort and safe haven to many teenagers who feel that they don't have a voice. Just because you might not like the voice doesn't mean it should be silenced. That is the nature of freedom of speech.
If they're old enough to perpetuate the kinds of crimes of the mind that they do, they're old enough to know about the repercussions
If they're old enough to perpetuate the kinds of crimes of the mind that they do, they're old enough to know about the repercussions
Don't allow homophobia to dictate what free speech is.