Amnesty International BookClub discussion

I read that The Orenda by Joseph Boyden is to be the December title.

In light of Boyden's extremely problematic letter, the negative impact it's having only beginning to be felt on sexual assault survivors, victims of systemic racism and misogyny, is it possible to consider a title from someone not spearheading the silencing of marginalized voices?

I cannot, in good faith or conscience, borrow The Orenda from the library or purchase it. I cannot, in good faith or conscience, tacitly condone his letter or Galloway's acts.

Is there room to consider another title?

Then you would also have to ban any books by Yann Martel, Margaret Atwood, Madeleine Thien, Lisa Moore, Miriam Toews and Vincent Lam, among others, who all signed the letter.

From what I understand the letter was about the secretive university process and calls for fairness to all parties. Boyden remains one of my favorite authors.

The letter wants someone's employment file made public. The progressive policy of protecting the privacy of the complainants and the accused is not "secretive," it allows safe disclosure. The letter calls for that to be undone.

Miriam Toews has removed her name from the list.

The others you mention? I was in the middle of Wenjack when this story broke and I cannot and will not finish it. I am not calling for a book ban; I do not believe in censorship.

I am asking if there is room to acknowledge that Boyden, and yes, the other authors, are asking for human rights to be ignored. The letter is not about fairness, if you've read it, and it's full of egregious information errors. Most of those who have signed have admitted they don't even know the details.

As a group committed to human rights, I am struggling with reading titles written by people actively opposing them.

I must be missing something. I read the letter and they are simply asking for an independent investigation into the matter. they are not requesting that privacy be violated but simply want due process and fair treatment for all. There are so many names attached to the letter that you'll be hard-pressed to find a book written by someone not on the list.

Can lit is far more vast than the names on that list. There are more opposed, by far, than signatories.
They want to break employment law because their friend committed fire-able offences. Numerous witnesses to his physical attack of a student. Acknowledged by all involved that he was having an affair with a student.
They don't like the independent investigation already done. The multiple survivors are being ignored.
Due process has been followed. They don't like the result. It's a slap in the face to every sexual assault survivor that these authors are demanding inquiry into something already dealt with, by the university and by independent inquiry.
Galloway is appealing, as is his right. He was fired months ago. The letter came now because of his suicide attempt. Boyden is trying to blame UBC. What about the mental states of the women he assaulted? What about the impact across the nation of these authors not actually caring that due process is being followed, and fairly, on other survivors?
The ethical authors have pulled their names. There are plenty not there at all. More not present than present by far. Those present are his friends or white people or men. It's elitist, privileged, and ignorant. The counter letter is four times as long and actually demonstrates legal understandings and a commitment to human rights.

Does anyone else have a problem with reading Boyden next month? I am voicing my objection and asking for another title. If Boyden remains the selection, I will simply not participate in December.

I too am uncomfortable with reading Joseph Boyden at this time.

Especially as part of an Amnesty International Book Club.

I do not feel the original poster was suggesting banning books. I am surprised that the moderator did not respond to her question, and to see the low level of interest this question has generated.

I am very happy that this request for another title was posted. Personally, I plan to read one of the alternate from the original 'readers choice' poll at https://amnestycanada.informz.ca/surv...

I am leaning towards one of the following:
Sweetness in the Belly by Camilla Gibb
Birdie by Tracey Lindberg
Where The Air Is Sweet by Tasneem Jamal

I only recently joined this group, but am grateful for the introduction to Prairie Ostrich and the work of Tamai Kobayashi.

I have high hopes for this book club and look forward to participating in the future.

Hi HeatherLynn,
I'm new too. Thank you for recognizing that I am not advocating banning books. I'm a librarian by profession and strongly oppose censorship. There is a distinction between choosing and being denied the right to choose. It's choosing that I'm struggling with; it sounds like we both have struggles with choosing to read Boyden at the moment. (By eerie coincidence, I was given the marketing bookmark for this bookclub when I bought Wenjack, which I cannot finish.)
Like you as well, I am so pleased to have been introuduced to Tamai Kobayashi. I am really hoping she writes another novel!

Oops-- I hit 'return'!

Maybe if it's just us who are uncomfortable, we could choose a book from the original poll together so we have someone to discuss the book with? I'm also eager to read Birdie; my partner has already read it and loved it. I've already read Sweetness In the Belly. I am a big fan of Camilla Gibb (and glad she's not named on the list.) Where The Air Is Sweet also appeals to me, so I'd be happy to let you choose, if you have a preference, if that's how it goes?

I wonder if the information I saw online about this bookclub is up-to-date. I read that Nino Ricci is the moderator. He is also a signatory on Boyden's letter. I have wondered if that is why there is silence from the moderator and the group.

This is my first month and I am looking forward to participating in the future too. I hope there is a bit more discussion about what we read next. If not, would you like to read an alternate with me?

Yes, lets read Birdie.

I have tried before (during Canada Reads) and put it down, not ready at the time.

I grew up with the Beachcombers and would love to make my own pilgrimage to Molly's Reach.

Okay! Birdie it is. Anyone who wants to join us is very welcome!

I also grew up with the Beachcombers (once we had a TV.) I've been to the Sunshine Coast a few times; the ferry docks at (near?-- I haven't been since the mid-90s) Gibsons. I've been to Molly's Reach! Worth it if you can make it!

Anyone seen the Walrus article regarding Galloway? https://thewalrus.ca/steven-galloway-...

Yes, and many, many others, on both sides of the fence, in the Walrus and elsewhere.

I just read Carmen Aguirre's article in the Walrus and found it to be thoughtful and reasoned - a worthwhile read. I meet with a small group to discuss books on the Amnesty list - not always in order, or monthly. We are planning on reading the Orenda - and our discussion will certainly include this controversy about the letter. Thank you to everyone for posting.

Julie wrote: "Anyone seen the Walrus article regarding Galloway? https://thewalrus.ca/steven-galloway-..."


Thanks for posting this Julie. A voice of reason. Everyone should read Aguirre's letter and really think this through. I applaud Boyden and the signatories for asking for justice. I cannot comprehend the rationale of the other side. Justice should come to ALL, regardless of sex, race, prominence, etc.

I am sorry Kim that you are not going to finish Wenjack. It is a wonderful book and Boyden gives voice to a victim that needs to be heard.

What disturbs me is the silence from the moderator of this group on the subject. The initial poster merits a response, one way or another. Isn't this a group for *discussion*? Hard to do with a moderator who stays silent.

Hi! Sorry! I've only just re-signed on as I've been at work and not able to sign on! Let me just catch up to all the posts! Thank you for the discussion thus far everyone. ~vp (AI book club volunteer)

Hello Everyone,

Thank you for your comments, and your patience in our response to this thread. The Goodreads group is run by a wonderful volunteer, and she was able to let us know yesterday about your thoughts, hence the slight delay. @Kim, I apologize we didn’t respond to your initial question immediately.

The Orenda remains our Readers’ Choice 2016 winner. If you choose to read it, I think you will find the book to be quite powerful. However, if anyone is uncomfortable reading that title they are of course welcome to consider another. For your information, The 2nd and 3rd runner up choices were Medicine Hat and Birdie - both are great books.

The background section of our discussion guide for The Orenda will feature various initiatives and issues related to Indigenous people within Canada, and could be applied to any of these titles. Also, we will have 6 discussion questions in the guide that will address the book club in general, as well as exploring the issues of Indigenous rights in Canada, and why the book club is drawn to the subject. (Last year’s winner was The Inconvenient Indian).

You are welcome to continue this thread, but should anyone wish to communicate directly with the book club and myself, please email Bookclub@amnesty.ca.

Thank you again,
Catherine
The Amnesty International Book Club Coordinator

Louise wrote: "Julie wrote: "Anyone seen the Walrus article regarding Galloway? https://thewalrus.ca/steven-galloway-..."


Thanks for posting this Julie. A voice of reason. Everyone ..."

Louise wrote: "Julie wrote: "Anyone seen the Walrus article regarding Galloway? https://thewalrus.ca/steven-galloway-..."


Thanks for posting this Julie. A voice of reason. Everyone ..."

Yes. I read it. It ignores entirely employment and privacy law in its arguments. People fired for breaches of employment code are not subject to the Criminal Code. It is an uninformed voice, not one of reason. With an appeal underway, details cannot be revealed, by law.

The authors who have removed their names from the initial list have, some, mentioned the pressure applied by Boyden. There are plenty of exceptional indigenous writers who are not rape deniers that I am happy to read. Boyden has drawn his line in the sand.

I disagree with the Walrus piece. I urge people to read statements by Julie Lalonde, Zoe Todd, and Julie Rak.

I wonder if anyone has changed their minds given the recent investigation into Boyden by indigenous journalists and the revelation by indigenous people that Boyden is something of a fraud. Boyden' supporters have been primarily white settlers; the indigenous communities, and indigenous women in particular, have rejected Boyden's claims to indigenousness.