Racialized Censorship PT. II

Topic in The WARDen Room:

Legitimate Concerns

Dear J.R. Ward,

As a fellow writer and also as a fan, I mean no disrespect whatsoever to you as an author in my threads. But I have to ask:

Wouldn’t you like to hear the most important criticism and thoughts a writer can receive: the criticism and thoughts of your fans?

I wanted to ask, how do you feel and what do you think about the legitimate concerns that your readers of color have raised about the lack of representation and, most importantly, other unmentionable political and cultural concerns seen in BDB?

If this question has been asked in exactly this way, then I apologize.

Thank you,

Elia’s Diamonds

This thread was pulled moments later without explanation.

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Message SENT TO: Braveheart [General Manager & Site Admin/Mod]

What to do? Rules Conflict with Constructive Dialogue

There seems to be somewhat of a disconnect between the BDB board rule about respecting the author and the author’s work as opposed to honest, constructive, and open discussion. In particular, I think that this rule constricts many readers of color around the world who would like to use the boards as a place not to bash the books, but speak frankly, constructively, and seriously about the books.

Being a Black woman is political in America. In existing on this earth and in this country, I cannot separate the private from the public (meaning here political). The rules on BDB’s boards seem written in a way that means I should make happy with the other hardcore fans or get out.

What should we do? If the boards are not a space conducive to this kind of discussion, which undoubtedly gets heated and political (which is also against the rules), what should we do? Is there somewhere else we can go?

Thank you,

Elia

REPLY from: Braveheart

As you yourself mentioned we do have rules in place, which you agreed to when joining. We have every right to run the site by our rules. The site isn’t for heated discussion, please refrain and take it elsewhere. If you feel you cannot be here without breaking our rules and provoking arguments then perhaps you should go argue elsewhere.

Negative comments are acceptable inciting inflammatory behavior isn’t thus if you cannot act in a responsible and rule abiding manner this site isn’t for you.

Please take this in the manner in which its meant, your views are your own and respected show us the same courtesy by respecting our rules. This is an official warning.

Nath

General Manager for J.R. Ward

And that was that.