Plus we celebrate Nobel Peace Prize winner, Narges Mohammadi
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Dec 11, 2023
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We are thrilled to announce the election of a new president of PEN America: Jennifer Finney Boylan. You might know Boylan as the bestselling author of 18 books, and she has been part of the PEN America board of directors since 2018. Earlier this year, she had the honor of presenting our Freedom to Write Award honor to the family of Narges Mohammadi, who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in absentia this weekend with a delegation from PEN America by the family’s side.
Boylan tells us she came to PEN "for very personal reasons." In trying to explain what it meant to be transgender, she realized that nothing reaches people like a story. Or, as she so eloquently puts it, "How do we change the world? One poem, one essay, and one book at a time."
Boylan brings to PEN America a fierce dedication to free speech, even in difficult times. As she told us, "No one has ever had their opinion changed by someone telling them to shut up."
We won’t be saying goodbye to Ayad Akhtar, who expertly served as PEN America president for three years during a time of remarkable growth, including the addition of the PEN/Barbey Freedom to Write Center, our Florida office, and the expansion to 10 chapter cities. Akhtar will remain on the board as vice president.
We hope you can join us and our new president tonight for our Annual General Meeting, Conversation Amid Crisis: Sustaining Dialogue in Divided Times, featuring writer Zaina Arafat ([link removed]) ; journalist and translator Yair Rosenberg ([link removed]) ; journalist, editor, and cultural critic Judith Shulevitz ([link removed]) ; writer and former Director of the Arab-Israeli Project at the International Crisis Group Nathan Thrall ([link removed]) ; and author, lawyer, and equity advocate Kenji Yoshino ([link removed]) . The event will be held at Scholastic headquarters and livestreamed.
Join tonight's meeting via livestream >> ([link removed])
Read more in The New York Times >> ([link removed])
Read our Q&A with Jenny >> ([link removed])
PEN DEFENDS
** Help Us #FreeNarges
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Our CEO Suzanne Nossel and Writers at Risk Director Karin Deutsch Karlekar attended the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony as guests of the family of Narges Mohammadi, a fearless human rights champion who wields the written word to create vital change. In her speech written behind bars and read by her children, Narges said, “I am confident that the light of freedom and justice will shine powerfully on the land of Iran. At that moment, we will celebrate the victory of democracy and human rights over tyranny and authoritarianism, and the anthem of the people's triumph on the streets of Iran will resonate worldwide.”
Sign the petition demanding her release >> ([link removed])
Write a personal note of solidarity >> ([link removed])
** Yes, Ron DeSantis, Florida Does Ban Books
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When Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis claimed that book banning in Florida was a “false narrative,” we suggested the governor read his own published list of banned books. DeSantis hasn’t just counted hundreds of book bans in his state – he’s campaigned on it, repeatedly. If DeSantis wants people to stop calling him a book banner, he should stop banning books.
Read the Fact Check >> ([link removed])
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
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This week’s Member Spotlight features Lookout ([link removed]) by PEN America Member Christine Byl. Lookout tells the story of the Kinzlers, a complex working-class family firmly rooted in northwestern Montana. Josiah and Margaret Kinzler have forged an unusual bond marked by both tenderness and distance; their daughters, Cody and Louisa, grow up watching their parents navigate what it means to be true to yourself and what that costs.
Check out Lookout >> ([link removed])
View 2023 publications by PEN America Members >> ([link removed])
PEN EVENTS
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Wednesdays in January | 8:00 pm – 9:30 pm ET | 5:00 - 6:30 pm PT (VIRTUAL)
Children’s and Young Adult authors are on the frontlines of the educational censorship wave impacting classrooms, libraries, and communities across the country. The 2024 You Are A Writer series is dedicated to centering authors, editors, and publishing professionals who are navigating the the business and craft of literature for young readers in censorious times. Whether you’re thinking about writing your first children’s book, or you are a seasoned author, these workshops will provide insights on the best practices and possibilities of the business of books for children and young adults.
Learn More ([link removed])
PEN America Event Calendar >> ([link removed])
PEN READS
** Roxane Gay Has Opinions
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It seems hard to imagine now, but there was a time when Roxane Gay felt shy about sharing her opinions. Fortunately, her solution was to write them down. She spoke to PEN America about her latest book, Opinions, what she’s learned by running her own imprint at Grove Atlantic, and her upcoming book of writing advice.
Read the interview >> ([link removed])
** PEN Ten: Zahra Hankir
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Zahra Hankir shows us the world through kohl-lined eyes in Eyeliner: A Cultural History. From Ancient Egypt to Iran, Petra to Japan, Hankir reveals the rich history of eyeliner and its role in social movements, performances, and everyday life. For this week’s PEN Ten ([link removed]) , she discusses beauty, gender norms, and how they relate to democracy.
Read the interview >> ([link removed])
PEN SPEAKS
* Freedom to Learn Director Jeremy Young expressed deep concern that the outcry over antisemitism is driving legislative proposals with alarming implications for free speech. (The Philadelphia Inquirer ([link removed]) )
* Director of Free Expression and Education Programs Jonathan Friedman wrote that the suspension of chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine at private universities raises questions and concerns about chilled campus speech. (PEN.org ([link removed]) )
* Our report, “Speech in the Machine: Generative AI’s Implications for Free Expression,” was cited in an article about “The Year that A.I. Ate the Internet.” (The New Yorker ([link removed]) )
* Viktorya Vilk and Jeje Mohamed of our Digital Safety and Free Expression program write: From Rape Threats and Misogynistic Slurs to Sexual Harassment and Doxing, a Ms. Report about online abuse. (Ms Magazine ([link removed]) )
* Jonathan Friedman spoke about rising antisemitism and free speech on college campuses on a package that appeared in multiple markets on Spectrum News. (NY1 ([link removed]) )
* Laura Schroeder, congressional affairs lead at PEN America, appeared at a press conference introducing the Fight Book Bans Act, which would support schools that fight book challenges. (Publishers Weekly ([link removed]) )
* Moira Marquis, Freewrite project senior manager, wrote about why prisons ban fantasy and science fiction. (Lithub ([link removed]) )
WHAT WE'RE READING
* How Would This Supreme Court Rule on Book Banning? (The New Yorker) (The New Yorker ([link removed]) )
* Biden Administration No Longer Communicating with Meta About Foreign Election Interference (The Hill ([link removed]) )
* Evidence Is Growing That Free Speech Is Declining (Foreign Policy ([link removed]) )
** “A heartfelt thank you to PEN America for gathering these messages for Narges Mohammadi. … Your solidarity means the world to us, and together, we’ll continue the fight.”
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** - Taghi Rahmani, journalist and husband of Narges Mohammadi
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TRENDING @ PENAMERICA
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As we celebrate Narges Mohammadi receiving the Nobel Peace Prize for her commitments to freedom, equality, and justice, we remain steadfast in our call for her release. More than 1,000 people have signed on to our letter demanding her release, and hundreds have sent her letters of support. Join them >> ([link removed])
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