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Dear Friend,
This has been a difficult year, to say the least.
There's the pandemic. And an economic crisis. Which isn't even to mention the deluge of disinformation, conspiracy theories, and quackery hampering our responses to the outbreak, and nearly throwing our elections. Around the world, a populist authoritarian backlash is silencing truth tellers.
Amidst the challenges, I am still hopeful and inspired.
I’m inspired by the history-making events set off by 2020 PEN/Benenson Courage Award winner Darnella Frazier, who risked her safety to record the killing of George Floyd. By the bravery of Belarusian women who linked arms and refused to budge in the face of violence. By the poets and authors whose words capture this tumultuous year in all its shock and pain.
This Giving Tuesday, I am inspired by the fact that we can do things to defend the freedom to write, the freedom to speak, and the freedom to dissent.
We have our work cut out for us in the years to come, an era which will be marked by a growing challenge to truth, in so many senses of the word. But as the nation prepares for its own transition under a new administration, I couldn’t be more honored to be joining PEN America as its new President, continuing the ongoing work of defending speech and expression as the bedrock of our democracy.
You are what make PEN America possible. Please support us with your commitment to contribute. To support all that we do as an organization to keep the fire of free expression lit. Your support means the world to us. Please give today.
Sincerely,
Ayad Akhtar
President, PEN America
PS -- We’re just about to pass the halfway point for our end of year giving. We need your support now more than ever.
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