Magazine Editor Resigns After Blasting Cultural Appropriation

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By Rob Shimshock

A magazine editor resigned Wednesday after receiving backlash over an opinion article in which he encouraged cultural appropriation in literature.

Hal Niedzviecki, a novelist and editor for Canada’s Write magazine, sparked outrage for insisting that cultural appropriation is a good thing and that there should be an Appropriation Prize, according to the CBC.

“Anyone, anywhere, should be encouraged to imagine other peoples, other cultures, other identities,” said Niedzviecki in his piece.

But other contributors to the Write magazine issue in which the former editor’s piece appeared took issue with the op-ed.

“I can’t even begin to describe the anger I’m feeling right now,” said Alicia Elliott in a tweet reported by the CBC. Elliott has since set her account to private. “I’m literally shaking. My essay is about cultural appropriation.”

“I can’t get over how in my piece I called out appropriation and settler expectations … and yet they still published this,” explained Joshua Whitehead, another contributor.

The Writers’ Union of Canada apologized for Niedzviecki’s op-ed in a statement published on its website, stating that it offended readers, contributors, and editorial board members.

“The intention behind the magazine is to offer space for honest and challenging discussion and to be sincerely encouraging to all voices,” stated the organization. “The Union recognizes that intention is not enough, and that we failed in execution in this instance.”

The Daily Caller News Foundation reached out to Niedzviecki and the Writers’ Union of Canada for comment, but received none in time for publication.