Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Vroman's Book Signing With 'American Dirt' Author Jeanine Cummins Is Canceled
Jeanine Cummins, author of the controversial novel "American Dirt." (Joe Kennedy)
()
This cover image released by Flatiron Books shows "American Dirt," a novel by Jeanine Cummins. (Flatiron Books via AP) (AP)
()
Embattled author Jeanine Cummins had been scheduled to talk Tuesday night about her novel 'American Dirt' -- the story of a Mexican woman and her son fleeing Acapulco for the U.S. after their family is murdered by the leader of a drug cartel.
The book, released last week, has been at the center of controversy over who gets to tell which stories.
Advance reviews and blurbs by prominent authors, including Stephen King, Don Winslow, and Sandra Cisneros, touted the book as a page-turner and a major publishing event.
Support for LAist comes from
There was immediate backlash from many in the Latinx community and prominent Latinx authors have said Cummins relies on stereotypes and tropes to describe Mexicans and the migrant experience.
Following the controversy surrounding the book, Vroman's bookstore in Pasadena has told KPCC's Take Two that the author's talk -- slated for Tuesday, January 28 -- has been canceled by the publisher, Flatiron Books.
A brief statement was also issued on Vroman's website: "The publisher has cancelled the event but not before our staff and our community engaged in critical conversations about immigration, the horrible atrocity happening at the US border by the US government, freedom of speech, and own voices."
This event has been canceled by the publisher. For more information, please visit the link below.https://t.co/YZ2d9OQWaD
— Vroman's Bookstore (@vromans) January 27, 2020
We have requested a comment from the parent company, Macmillan Publishers, but did not immediatly receive a response.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Administrators say the bargaining units should be dismissed, or that they have no standing. One campus is going after the federal agency in charge of union activity. -
The landslide is not connected to the greater Portuguese Bend landslide, city officials said. -
Nom. Nom. Nom. The event destroyed the internet when it was first announced — and sold out in minutes. -
The critical findings are part of long-awaited after-action report was released Thursday. It contains recommendations for increasing emergency staffing and updating old systems. -
Diving has changed, mountain biking has been added. Here's where to watch the Olympics in person in 2028. -
'A Great Day in the Stoke' is a free, daylong event in Orange County billed as 'the largest gathering of Black surfers in history.' The fourth annual festival is set for Saturday in Huntington Beach.
Best of LAist