I have learned a lot from the commentary on the story, and from your grace in how you have reacted to the situation.

FWIW, I enjoyed the story.

There's one smart lady! (The historical trauma lady). I didn't read Tempest's piece.

Good story.

I have to admit that on the rare occasion someone tells me that I obviously haven't examined my privilege, I want to smack them because it's incredibly presumptuous and incredibly condescending. And that's the reason I havne't gotten involved in the discussion over there.

Look at it this way: Art should provoke emotion--positive or negative, that's what it should do. You've certainly been provocative. Go you!

And by the way? Good story.

That wasn't what I meant at all. If all I wanted to do was provoke someone for the sake of provoking them, I'd walk up to people on the street shouting racial epithets and start provoking a riot. Inadvertant provocation is something no one wants. And having been subjected to being called "kike" and "bagel" right here on the streets of free, liberal Seattle, it's not an experience I'm interested in sharing.

What I mean when I say that art should provoke emotion is that successful art should touch a cord inside its consumer, whether that emotion is joy, sadness, compassion and so on. The least successful art is that which leaves the consumer unaffected. In the case of Lisa's story, her art has gotten people thinking and talking about prejudice and perception. In my opinion, if the discussion creates more light than heat (though lots of heat is inevtiable), it's a good thing.

Big big big big big big hug.

You are all kinds of amazing.

Thanks for the links.

You aren't That Author. Other people are Ignorant Defenders of That Author, but having such people around doesn't make YOU That Author.

You handled it really well.

Huh. It says I'm not allowed to read the comments.

Well, FWIW I read the story, and I didn't find it overly offensive. Gross in spots, but that's about it. ;)

I get Page Not Found

(Fingers and monkey poo. ;))

about the fingers and monkey poo?

Sorry. Couldn't resist. But what would that email say exactly?

I read the story and liked it a lot. I found nothing offensive in there, but I udnerstand some people are sensitive and see an insult where there's none intended.

I think you've handled the situation with grace. And I love the story ;)

Hey!

I shall be giving a workover on that mss this weekend. Just a friendly update.

The comment thread made me sad. It bothers me (or pisses me off, depending) how easily people tell others when they are and are not allowed to be offended by things.

(Everything else I have to say has been said better in other places. But I liked the story and had forgotten that you even said it was offensive until I saw what Paul had said.)

It's a kind of a nightmare situation for an author, or for me at least... to provoke that kind of offence or reaction...

I think you handled it well...

Fair enough! Apologies.

I watched that comment thread with a sense of growing horror, and realised that comment threads that devolve into train wreck dogpiles are not something i ever want to see happen to something I've written.

I cringed on your behalf at some of the stuff that was being spouted.

It was horrible, and I'm sorry you had to be on the receiving and of that level of vitriol.

*HUGS*