Posted on January 15, 2020 at 7:44 AM by Sadye Scott-Hainchek
Stephen King’s Twitter account is back in the literary news.
Yesterday, he commented on this year’s round of Oscar nominations, which have once again been criticized for being primarily white and male.
King, who as a writer can make nominations for best picture, adapted screenplay, and original screenplay, said that he doesn’t think about diversity in his picks.
“I would never consider diversity in matters of art. Only quality,” he tweeted. “It seems to me that to do otherwise would be wrong.”
This, unsurprisingly, drew quick criticism, according to the Guardian.
Writer Roxane Gay expressed disappointment that King only believed in “quality from one demographic,” while director Ava DuVernay called his tweet “so backward and ignorant you want to go back to bed.”
King quickly tried to clarify his stance, saying he believed the most important step toward diversity in any measure of success — be it a movie award or life accomplishments — is to ensure everyone has the same opportunity.
“You can't win awards if you're shut out of the game,” he tweeted.
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Categories: Today in Books