 
 
When I joined the Romance Writers Association (RWA) two yeas ago, I never thought to identify it as a racialized institution. I didn’t have the benefit of knowing its history, because I had always interacted with romance as a reader, not a writer. However, after the release of documents from the Ethics Committee outlining the complaints and sanctions against Courtney Milan (two days before Christmas, no less), I decided I need to know more about the behavior of an organization of which I am a part.
It is clear, the RWA has a history of failing to create a safe space for Authors of Color (AOC) in the organization. And it isn’t just AOC. Queer, handicapped, neurodivergent authors – anyone who is not from a background that is not straight and white are told, through policy and practice, that they are not welcome.
There’s too much of this openly, exclusionary behavior in our government, in our institutions, in our national culture. I thought for sure, RWA should be the place where things would be different. I mean, the RWA is in the business of depicting love and isn’t love supposed to be about acceptance, tolerance and justice? But love without justice is just cheap emotion. And organizations who fear to exact a cost from individuals who behave in a discriminatory way become another tool of oppression. I cannot support that.
In light of the ruling of the ethics committee against Courtney Milan and the manner in which it was released, I will not be renewing my RWA membership and will not join again until such time it can demonstrate that it is taking measurable steps towards inclusion and developing a culture of courage in the face of blatant racism. It must demonstrate that it is willing to take on the bigoted elements entrenched in its midst and make an incontrovertible stand against institutionalized hatred. It must demonstrate that authors of every background and identity have a safe place to learn, work, and grow. It must become the champion of tolerance that it purports to be.
#Istandwithcourtney
This is brave! We need more people like you to make culture at least a place of equality and tolerance
The real heroes are those augmenting the situation with their voices, chapter boards who are bucking the national organization, and the accused. I can only do my little part.
I have been preparing for months to become a part of the RWA but after today, that wish has been crushed and smothered to dust. if they can behave this way with an acclaimed author, what hope is there for newcomers?
There’s a lot of work to be done in that organization. Right now, I don’t feel safe functioning there. Let’s hope for real change.