FAIR News: Literary Journals Engaging in Overt Discrimination
Newsletter
Dear Friends of FAIR,
It has been brought to our attention that literary journals across the country are engaging in discriminatory practices in obtaining submissions from individuals seeking publication. We have independently verified that what has been reported to FAIR is accurate, and will be sharing that information with you all soon.
As an organization committed to pro-human anti-racism, FAIR supports efforts to achieve greater fairness and diversity in all industries. We believe, however, that offering differential treatment in submission requirements based on skin color or ancestry violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, thereby infringing upon the rights of all of those who submit work to them. (Some are also in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution, from which Title VI is derived.)
We recognize that the underlying goal in offering preferential treatment to certain individuals is often to remediate the effects of past discrimination or to create environments that are more diverse and inclusive. Indeed, it is generous and thoughtful of journals to offer preferential submission requirements for those facing economic hardships or other needs. But such needs cannot be logically assigned to users based on immutable traits, and under Federal law, the journals may not offer such benefits only to certain individuals based on their skin color or ancestry.
In the coming weeks, FAIR will be publishing an open letter, signed by many friends of FAIR, in an effort to gain greater fairness for authors and artists who submit their work to literary journals. Stay tuned.
Warmly,
The Team at the Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism
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The following--which I just pulled off my Twitter feed--is typical:
Sonora Review
@sonorareview
·
18 Sep
Submissions for Sonora Review are open! We welcome writers of all backgrounds and identities, particularly including people of color, LGBTQIA+ people, people with disabilities, and all others whom traditional publishing has historically excluded. We can't wait to read your work.
I'd heard about orchestras--which used to listen to applicant tapes blind, not knowing gender, ethnicity or sexual identity--now actively recruiting persons of color, favoring skin over merit. These practices in any area of the arts or anywhere else are unacceptable. I submit frequently to literary magazines like Sonora Review, and have seen, occasionally on the Submittable platform, requests to identify the skin color or some other quality of the person submitting. I've been quite unhappy about this for a long time and am glad FAIR is calling out magazines for this practice.
. Indeed, it is generous and thoughtful of journals to offer preferential submission requirements for those facing economic hardships or other needs.
You are extremely naive to think this won’t be abused. It’s also wrong. I want the best people available. People overcoming hardship deserve our respect, but not preferential treatment.