Earlier this week, my friend and arts organizer Bryony Dixon published an article in Quillette about her ouster this year from Nanaimo Fringe Festival at the behest of trans rights activists.
I was most impressed by the kind and level-headed way you handled a deeply stressful situation by emphasizing repeatedly at the event the theme of empathy. In the library's defense (this time) I will say they posted two staff members to the room. I spoke with one expressing my concern that neither myself nor my partner felt safe with these trans activists, who have repeatedly shown their willingness to use violence. She assured me they would eject anyone who disrupted our reading. Another staff member just sat quietly and observed, presumably there as backup security. Once the rainbow flaggers realized there was nothing to see here—that they had been lied to by Nanaimo Pride—most of them left. A few remained behind, presumably as monitors, one of them quite aggressive. The irony is that they are claiming "hate" speech from others yet that's precisely what their actions are projecting. Seems like a little honest self-reflection and therapy is in order for some of these folks. Thank you again Kim for being such a model of calmness in a storm.
Thank you, Art. I'm so glad we both hung in and insisted this event go forward. Because capitulating to cancellation, even though that might be easier and less stressful in the short run, is the first step onto a slippery slope that won't lead anywhere good. Was really great to see you and I hope you'll come back to the coast again before too long.
I hate to admit it but if it had been me in charge of the event I might have just stepped away from potential confrontation. But I think it was important for Harbourfront Library staff to see that we posed no threat, and that, in fact, the threatening ones were the rainbow warriors. Let's hope this translates into more cooperation from the library in future!
BTW! I was accidentally signed in as the editor of our local paper. I was a founding owner and editor, but resigned in June. No idea how I’m still logged in. This comment is from me (not the paper):
Hi Kim,
I produce an FM radio show in the Seattle area, focused on writers seeking to inspire positive social change. Please reach out to me. I have many queer friends and most are concerned about the type of things you have endured. In addition to discussing your literary work and public projects, we would serve our communities well by discussing the topics you raise in this Substack. Contact me at the station: voiceofvashon.org
This is what happens in a comfortable country. People lose the sense of what harms, risk and violence truly are in society. Anyone born after the 1950s in Canada has not experienced the draft, economic depression, war, etc. Also known as real economic devastation and real violence.
The great thing about living in South Korea was I met people my age who had experienced dictatorship and poverty. Same with many of my friends in Vietnam. My South African friends lived through Apartheid. All of them taught me a lot about living in this world.
I pay a very large percentage of my yearly property taxes towards supporting the Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) as does anyone living in what appears to be anywhere but Victoria. They better be careful what they do for taxpayers revolts are not a pretty thing. I am so sick and tired of cancel culture and zealots of all persuasions.
I made this very point in my email reply to the library (before the phone call). And I even looped in all of Nanaimo city council and mayor for this reason - my property taxes fund this library and the salaries of the librarians telling me I can't use the space.
Re cancelling: There is an ugly row right now in Courtenay as 2 fundi churches/schools have lost their municipal tax exempt status due to the SOGI / anti SOGI debates.
Middle ground seems to be disappearing like sandbars in a river mid flood. I don't think many read anything unconformable to their misinformed biased opinions.
Whatever happened to, " I might disagree with what you have to say but I will fight for your right to say it? " (Short of inciting violence which is covered under Section 318(1) of the Criminal Code.)
We are witnessing the weaponization of the Milgram Obedience to Authority Experiment, the Asch Conformity Experiment and the Stanford Prison Experiment.
Academia, which already suffers from corporate capture, ranks highly amongst the most obedient sectors. Group think is a real threat to critical thinkers.
I produce an FM radio show in the Seattle area, focused on writers seeking to inspire positive social change. Please reach out to me. I have many queer friends and most are concerned about the type of things you have endured. In addition to discussing your literary work and public projects, we would serve our communities well by discussing the topics you raise in this Substack. Contact me at the station: voiceofvashon.org
My local County Libraries in England have also been pushing the 'non-binary' and 'trans' agendas, which are pretty much one and the same. So I was pleased to discover whilst looking in the library catalogue that Sharron Davies' (@sharrond62 on X) book 'Unfair Play' has been added to the collection. She's been outspoken in defence of womens' sports and has helped other women who maybe didn't feel confident enough to fight back.
Judith Butler: "Hamas and Hezbollah are social movements that are progressive and are part of the Global Left" >> Now imagine how such a despicable and ignorant cretin academic, disguised as a philosopher, leads the LGBTQWERTY+ movement on to "safe spaces" ?? These people are fanatics, zealots, they have lost the capacity for reason and logic and they are descending into a maelstrom of barbarism.
So Kim, what you are witnessing, and experiencing, is just the tip of the iceberg. Sorry to say. But I think you know it's true. Time to realign and change your tracks before you are resigned to join them.
Speaking of which, I can't recommend enough a timely read of "Submission" by Michel Houellebecq. It is the 1964 for our times.
Kim, the cancel culture is a weapon of the latest generations, by liberal-left-progressives who have been radicalized by post-colonial academic claptrap and fostered to believe that one's identity is paramount to the future of an egalitarian society. The academics behind their delusions are actually unreadable, which doesn't matter because their eager acolytes only need to agree to an anti-everything position and memorize a few quotes (Bell Hooks, for example) to pave their way...
Your friend's tale in Quillette is telling, but so is this:
In other words, that same mag airing cancel culture concerns still gets behind the underdog-can-do-no-harm (decolonizing myth) tale even when that underdog is a terrorist organization (Hamas, or Hezbellah...) or an ideological, often fundamentalist, religion (Islam) that uses in the case of Israel, the Arab/Muslim Palestinian population (to them they are low-caste, homeless) as token and dispensable war pawns in the name of their ultimate wet-dream of the Holy War to end all Holy Wars, the annihilation of Israel and the decimation of Jewry.
Well actually, in terms of safe places, for thinking and writing and even performing or organizing or activism, I for one (as someone who once called the Left my homebase) have come to realize there is a whole other world of spaces available for us still. But they are Conservative spaces. Often times they are adamantly non-secular spaces, as well. But in these spaces cancel culture is not a thing, ad hominem hostilities are often not tolerated, and healthy debate is still practiced and respected.
Who'd have guessed? Get out of your comfort zone. It's time to change tracks while there is still nobody in control at the switch.
As but one example, the We Unify movement, based in Victoria, was able to find a generous, safe space and sponsor in the Oaklands Bible Chapel. https://www.weunify.ca
Surreal. Maybe they would have been more comfortable if you had an event titled Poetry of Autocracy.
Haha! Probably! So long as it was the 'right type' of autocracy. lol!
I was most impressed by the kind and level-headed way you handled a deeply stressful situation by emphasizing repeatedly at the event the theme of empathy. In the library's defense (this time) I will say they posted two staff members to the room. I spoke with one expressing my concern that neither myself nor my partner felt safe with these trans activists, who have repeatedly shown their willingness to use violence. She assured me they would eject anyone who disrupted our reading. Another staff member just sat quietly and observed, presumably there as backup security. Once the rainbow flaggers realized there was nothing to see here—that they had been lied to by Nanaimo Pride—most of them left. A few remained behind, presumably as monitors, one of them quite aggressive. The irony is that they are claiming "hate" speech from others yet that's precisely what their actions are projecting. Seems like a little honest self-reflection and therapy is in order for some of these folks. Thank you again Kim for being such a model of calmness in a storm.
Thank you, Art. I'm so glad we both hung in and insisted this event go forward. Because capitulating to cancellation, even though that might be easier and less stressful in the short run, is the first step onto a slippery slope that won't lead anywhere good. Was really great to see you and I hope you'll come back to the coast again before too long.
I hate to admit it but if it had been me in charge of the event I might have just stepped away from potential confrontation. But I think it was important for Harbourfront Library staff to see that we posed no threat, and that, in fact, the threatening ones were the rainbow warriors. Let's hope this translates into more cooperation from the library in future!
BTW! I was accidentally signed in as the editor of our local paper. I was a founding owner and editor, but resigned in June. No idea how I’m still logged in. This comment is from me (not the paper):
Hi Kim,
I produce an FM radio show in the Seattle area, focused on writers seeking to inspire positive social change. Please reach out to me. I have many queer friends and most are concerned about the type of things you have endured. In addition to discussing your literary work and public projects, we would serve our communities well by discussing the topics you raise in this Substack. Contact me at the station: voiceofvashon.org
Thanks Will get in touch.
This is what happens in a comfortable country. People lose the sense of what harms, risk and violence truly are in society. Anyone born after the 1950s in Canada has not experienced the draft, economic depression, war, etc. Also known as real economic devastation and real violence.
The great thing about living in South Korea was I met people my age who had experienced dictatorship and poverty. Same with many of my friends in Vietnam. My South African friends lived through Apartheid. All of them taught me a lot about living in this world.
Good times create weak people.
Indeed!
I pay a very large percentage of my yearly property taxes towards supporting the Vancouver Island Regional Library (VIRL) as does anyone living in what appears to be anywhere but Victoria. They better be careful what they do for taxpayers revolts are not a pretty thing. I am so sick and tired of cancel culture and zealots of all persuasions.
I made this very point in my email reply to the library (before the phone call). And I even looped in all of Nanaimo city council and mayor for this reason - my property taxes fund this library and the salaries of the librarians telling me I can't use the space.
Re cancelling: There is an ugly row right now in Courtenay as 2 fundi churches/schools have lost their municipal tax exempt status due to the SOGI / anti SOGI debates.
Middle ground seems to be disappearing like sandbars in a river mid flood. I don't think many read anything unconformable to their misinformed biased opinions.
“poetry hate rally” 🤡
That was my favorite part. The satire writes itself!
Whatever happened to, " I might disagree with what you have to say but I will fight for your right to say it? " (Short of inciting violence which is covered under Section 318(1) of the Criminal Code.)
We are witnessing the weaponization of the Milgram Obedience to Authority Experiment, the Asch Conformity Experiment and the Stanford Prison Experiment.
Academia, which already suffers from corporate capture, ranks highly amongst the most obedient sectors. Group think is a real threat to critical thinkers.
Great article, Kim. Sending love and stamina through this fight, as it is not close to over. I thank you for your courage and grace.
Thanks Gillian!
Hi Kim,
I produce an FM radio show in the Seattle area, focused on writers seeking to inspire positive social change. Please reach out to me. I have many queer friends and most are concerned about the type of things you have endured. In addition to discussing your literary work and public projects, we would serve our communities well by discussing the topics you raise in this Substack. Contact me at the station: voiceofvashon.org
My local County Libraries in England have also been pushing the 'non-binary' and 'trans' agendas, which are pretty much one and the same. So I was pleased to discover whilst looking in the library catalogue that Sharron Davies' (@sharrond62 on X) book 'Unfair Play' has been added to the collection. She's been outspoken in defence of womens' sports and has helped other women who maybe didn't feel confident enough to fight back.
Judith Butler: "Hamas and Hezbollah are social movements that are progressive and are part of the Global Left" >> Now imagine how such a despicable and ignorant cretin academic, disguised as a philosopher, leads the LGBTQWERTY+ movement on to "safe spaces" ?? These people are fanatics, zealots, they have lost the capacity for reason and logic and they are descending into a maelstrom of barbarism.
So Kim, what you are witnessing, and experiencing, is just the tip of the iceberg. Sorry to say. But I think you know it's true. Time to realign and change your tracks before you are resigned to join them.
Speaking of which, I can't recommend enough a timely read of "Submission" by Michel Houellebecq. It is the 1964 for our times.
Also this: "Hamas, the Jews, and the Illiberal Left The schism on the left is not just about the Middle East." https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2023/10/hamas-jews-illiberal-left-progressive-israel-terrorism.html
Kim, the cancel culture is a weapon of the latest generations, by liberal-left-progressives who have been radicalized by post-colonial academic claptrap and fostered to believe that one's identity is paramount to the future of an egalitarian society. The academics behind their delusions are actually unreadable, which doesn't matter because their eager acolytes only need to agree to an anti-everything position and memorize a few quotes (Bell Hooks, for example) to pave their way...
Your friend's tale in Quillette is telling, but so is this:
https://quillette.com/2023/10/27/let-israels-critics-have-their-say/
In other words, that same mag airing cancel culture concerns still gets behind the underdog-can-do-no-harm (decolonizing myth) tale even when that underdog is a terrorist organization (Hamas, or Hezbellah...) or an ideological, often fundamentalist, religion (Islam) that uses in the case of Israel, the Arab/Muslim Palestinian population (to them they are low-caste, homeless) as token and dispensable war pawns in the name of their ultimate wet-dream of the Holy War to end all Holy Wars, the annihilation of Israel and the decimation of Jewry.
What is most stunningly remarkable of course is that the same LGBTQWERTY+ crowd that would align with these states and terrorists would never be tolerated by those same "freedom fighting" organizations that they support with such ignorance. (See https://iranhumanrights.org/2021/08/fact-sheet-lgbtq-community-in-iran-faces-deadly-violence-and-severe-rights-abuses/)
What is to be done?
Well actually, in terms of safe places, for thinking and writing and even performing or organizing or activism, I for one (as someone who once called the Left my homebase) have come to realize there is a whole other world of spaces available for us still. But they are Conservative spaces. Often times they are adamantly non-secular spaces, as well. But in these spaces cancel culture is not a thing, ad hominem hostilities are often not tolerated, and healthy debate is still practiced and respected.
Who'd have guessed? Get out of your comfort zone. It's time to change tracks while there is still nobody in control at the switch.
As but one example, the We Unify movement, based in Victoria, was able to find a generous, safe space and sponsor in the Oaklands Bible Chapel. https://www.weunify.ca