| Author | Message | ||
     Rhysaurus (Rhysaurus) Username: Rhysaurus Registered: 01-2010 Posted From: 62.121.31.177 |
Elsewhere, there is a thread devoted to NEVER AGAIN, an anthology of fantastical stories with an anti-Fascist (and anti-fascist; lowercase 'f') slant. I am delighted to be a part of that anthology, as I consider its theme and guiding principle to be one of extreme importance. But although I often congraulate myself on my 'anti-fascist' politics, I often am forced to stop and ask myself this question: what steps do I actually take against fascism in my day to day life? The answer is... nothing. I make token efforts to "support" the cause of anti-fascism. I attempt to contribute to any anthology that has a basic guiding principle of tolerance. How vital is my "support" in this respect, how much is about self-glorification rather than the cause itself? Here is an anthology I am proud to be a part of, that in its own way is as antifascist by default as NEVER AGAIN is by design. WILDE STORIES 2010... THE YEAR'S BEST SPECULATIVE GAY FICTION. http://www.amazon.com/Wilde-Stories-2010-Richard-Bowes/dp/1590213017 Authors include Tanith Lee, Elizabeth Hand, Joel Lane, Steve Berman, Laird Barron. | ||
| Kate (Kathleen) Username: Kathleen Registered: 09-2009 Posted From: 213.122.209.76 |
Well done, Rhys! A very worthy antho indeed. In the past I have been actively (and monetarily) involved in taking anti-fascist steps, but over the years I've become somewhat jaded and cynical about organised charities in general. Emotional blackmail and nagging are not good ways to raise awareness or engender sympathy for a cause. Also, there are so many worthy causes and people can't afford to contribute to them all. Besides, many people have their own pet causes that are close to their hearts, so badgering them about another cause isn't going to do any good. I like the "barter system" method of support we have now, thanks to the Net and the increased networking and awareness it encourages. I would much rather put my heart (literally) into a cause than my money. I know exactly where my story is going and it's a far more personal contribution than a few quid (well, dollars back then) that probably hurt me more than it helped the cause. I also think readers are more likely to show support by buying a book they'll independently enjoy rather than handing over money blindly. This way everyone wins. So here's to more support (no inverted commas) like these anthologies!  | ||
| Tom_alaerts (Tom_alaerts) Username: Tom_alaerts Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 194.78.35.185 |
The most important thing is that the stories should be good. I must say that I half expect a good number of the stories in these good-cause anthologies to heavy a heavy-handed message... | ||
| Tom_alaerts (Tom_alaerts) Username: Tom_alaerts Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 194.78.35.185 |
I meant "...to have a heavy-handed message...", of course | ||
| Rhysaurus (Rhysaurus) Username: Rhysaurus Registered: 01-2010 Posted From: 80.4.12.3 |
Good point Tom! That's always a danger, of course. Thanks Kate, and yes I agree with everything you say. Getting the balance right is always tricky, and there are too many "worthy" causes out there, and preaching rarely achieves anything. In fact message overkill probably has the opposite of the desired effect! But we do what we can anyway... | ||
| Laird Barron (Laird) Username: Laird Registered: 05-2008 Posted From: 71.212.50.217 |
How about a heavy-handed massage! | ||
| Tony (Tony) Username: Tony Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 81.131.109.205 |
I'm not a fascist or act on on any prejudices I feel (sadly I do feel them) and try and ensure my kids are the same. That's my addition to any of the above movements. | ||
| Joel (Joel) Username: Joel Registered: 03-2008 Posted From: 91.110.241.34 |
Wilde Stories is a playful, irony-rich series with the emphasis very much on interesting and enjoyable stories. Books like this are about exploring the literary possibilities of their themes, not hammering the reader with blunt polemic. Kate – yes, political activism has its share of humourless and difficult people, though it also has many talented, dedicated and kind people. Without activism there would be no real democracy, because society would still deny basic rights to most of the population. If activists don't always go about things in an ideal way – well, who does? |