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https://theconversation.com/a-first-nations-writers-fellowship-was-withdrawn-by-queenslands-government-whats-going-on-257445>
"This week, Martu writer Karen Wyld had her A$15,000
black&write fellowship
withdrawn – just hours before the (cancelled) ceremony at State Library of
Queensland, where she was to receive it for a fiction manuscript on the Stolen
Generations. The Queensland arts minister, John-Paul Langbroek, and premier
David Crisafulli had directly intervened. They wrote to the library’s
chairwoman and its and CEO “voicing their concerns”, according to the
Australian.
A reporter from the paper knew before Wyld did about the withdrawal of her
fellowship, which annually grants two First Nations writers $15,000 and a
publishing opportunity with University of Queensland Press. Wyld (who now
publishes under K. A. Ren Wyld), received an email asking for a reaction before
she was informed of the withdrawal – in a “very brief, polite conversation”
with Library CEO Vicki McDonald, who “mentioned” a tweet Wyld had posted, then
deleted, in October 2024.
In it, Wyld had described former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar as a “martyr”,
praising him for “resisting colonisation”, after he was killed by Israeli
forces. She told the
Guardian this week she “could have worded” the tweet
“less emotional”.
This is not the first time a leading artist has been penalised for sharing an
opinion about the situation in the Middle East. Taking away significant
professional opportunities carries real consequences for artists and writers,
among the poorest paid workers in Australia. There are rigorous processes
around deciding who gets these opportunities too: what does it mean when they
are overridden, particularly for political purposes?"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics