Wildly successful thriller author James Patterson found himself in hot water recently thanks to a Sunday Times interview in which he suggested that white male authors face discrimination and that that is a form of racism.
James Patterson, whose popular books have made him a staple on the @USATODAY best selling books list for years, lamented white men struggling to find writing jobs in film, theater, TV and publishing industries as "just another form of racism." https://t.co/45vQ1xOnOz
— USA TODAY Life (@usatodaylife) June 13, 2022
James Patterson, whose popular books have made him a staple on the USA TODAY best selling books list for years, is reflecting on his lengthy writing career – and has apologized after saying he believes white men are struggling lately to get hired in the entertainment industry.
Speaking with The Sunday Times in an interview published over the weekend, Patterson lamented white men struggling to find writing jobs in film, theater, TV and publishing industries as “just another form of racism.”
“What’s that all about?” he continued. “Can you get a job? Yes. Is it harder? Yes. It’s even harder for older writers. You don’t meet many 52-year-old white males.”
His remarks? Inartful, perhaps. Pretty awkward. But the way some people were coming for him, you’d think he were David Duke or something.
James Patterson saying white males aren’t getting writing gigs because of racism, reminds me of a line from my own book, self published since I am NOT a privileged white male: When you’ve never been invisible and voiceless, it’s easy to assume you were meant to be seen and heard.
— Cyrus McQueen (@CyrusMMcQueen) June 13, 2022
James Patterson, one of, if not THE highest-paid writer in the world, says white men are discriminated against as writers.
This message has been brought to you by white fragility.
— Tim Wise (@timjacobwise) June 13, 2022
Caucacity of this false equivalence claiming ‘racism’ against White men is more White supremacy personified.What an obtuse statement from James Patterson. He best pick up books & educate himself on what racism is.He’s missing good old days when White men had ALL the writing gigs? pic.twitter.com/uggQ2sxgJV
— Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu (@SholaMos1) June 13, 2022
Aaaaaaaanyway, Patterson subsequently issued an apology for the offense he had caused:
I apologize for saying white male writers having trouble finding work is a form of racism. I absolutely do not believe that racism is practiced against white writers. Please know that I strongly support a diversity of voices being heard—in literature, in Hollywood, everywhere.
— James Patterson (@JP_Books) June 14, 2022
That was nice of him and all, but was it actually worth it? It’s unlikely that it will earn him the respect of those who jumped down his throat:
We as white people will never experience racism. We have never been subjected to racism. We have benefited from it. We have benefited from white privilege. That those words ever left your mouth is horrendous. We'll see if this apology has substance & meaning.
— Rayna C Sussek (@RaynCS14) June 14, 2022
And it definitely won’t earn him much respect from those who are sick and tired of watching people cave to the woke mob’s pressure.
This is almost written like someone has a gun to his head. https://t.co/ZVTCAmVlox
— J D (@hoosierfren) June 16, 2022
"I write this of my own free will and am being treated well." https://t.co/pQFhq0fwES
— Cranky "Jan. 6 Hearings Choreographer" Gordon (@StillCrankyAF) June 16, 2022
Re-education camps are effective against thoughtcrime. https://t.co/TKIOIm4ggc
— Dan McLaughlin (@baseballcrank) June 16, 2022
More struggle sessions. https://t.co/KmqDa3B7b7
— ZUBY: (@ZubyMusic) June 16, 2022
You genuinely hate to see it.
Sad! Have some dignity people. Don’t let a mob back you down from speaking the truth! https://t.co/rNPQ75Jsx8
— Harmeet K. Dhillon (@pnjaban) June 16, 2022
The responses to this are either:
1) Never apologise; or
2) Your apology isn’t good enough.2) highlights why 1) is so important. https://t.co/dDGZUeRJOH
— Rose of Dawn (@Rose_Of_Dawn) June 16, 2022
Don’t ever apologize to the outrage mobs. https://t.co/brRGbOplbN
— Amy Curtis (@RantyAmyCurtis) June 16, 2022
Never ever.
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