Writers, readers, lit fam: I know many feel voiceless in the face of power wielded by lit orgs, lit mags, funding bodies. What if we reframed ‘power’ to ‘responsibility’? These institutions benefit from us as readers & writers. Their very existence. They are responsible to us.

What if we called them to account? Demanded they step up & examine processes around representation, equity, diversity, inclusion? What if we reminded them who they really work for? Who they should take care of? As lit orgs, they have a duty of care towards us, their community.

Here’s where you come in as individuals, & as a group. What if, when individually, you see a lit org promote their work, especially when you think it needs more representation & inclusion, you responded with something like this:

‘Thank you for all the work you do in the literary ecosystem. How will you commit to better representation of marginalised communities through systemic change in your processes & leadership, in a transparent, accountable, actionable manner for our community?’ #time4change

Imagine what we could see when we click on that hashtag. Imagine what could happen if lit orgs took notice of what we as a community desire, need, & demand from them. Now is the time. Call on lit orgs to step up to their responsibilities. Use the collective power we hold.

Will you do this for me? Will you do this for your literary family? Will you do this for FNPOC? For LGBTIQA+? For people with disabilities? For all our vulnerable, our marginalised? Make our literary community safe for all. Stand up. Let’s see you call for change. #time4change