Just once I would like the hand wringing over fascist politicians getting book deals to acknowledge all the radical writings that have never even been considered for publication by the big five and how so many ppl just take that as obvious

US culture is so bland it thinks arguing that blatant racism should be given a platform is the height of moral and intellectual sophistication. Meanwhile, free speech defenders will not even glance to the left

The hand wringing is really over ppl who dress nicely and live in good neighborhoods not getting book deals. Thassit. Its class solidarity, in that the big writers see themselves in a Conway more than they ever do in another person writing.

For a certain class of ppl, a book deal is like a college degree or an audi. A status symbol and signal of the club they belong in. So, yes, they freak out when its suggested maybe they shouldn’t have one. It’s like telling them maybe they shouldn’t buy a vacation house.

Lol sorry for my fancy car reference. I dont drive and never have. Replace w a real car name up there

On the flip side, I think we also have to acknowledge that publishing is a capitalist enterprise and will sell books for profit. So yes right wing stuff gets published. The difference is the massive grift of super pacs essentially subsidizing the printing of a Conway book

Which is the advantage of the current breed of republican politician book grifts. The left does not have the equivalent. The upside is, when a book does break thru, like Miriam Kaba’s, it’s bc of genuine cultural shifts

“I disagree with what your saying and will defend you to the death to say it” is a pact predicated on whiteness and class. It does not extend to Black ppl criticizing white supremacy in ways that materially threaten the system or poor ppl doing the same.

Hell, for many of these older writers who feel cozy in that phrase, it doesnt even extend to their younger colleagues advocating for fair labor or a diverse canon.