DOS_patos
Unverified Legion of Trill member
Dutch writer Marieke Lucas Rijneveld, who won the International Booker Prize in 2020, has withdrawn from a project to translate Black American poet Amanda Gorman's work following a backlash against the commission.
Rijneveld, who is White and non-binary, announced they were to work on the project with publisher Meulenhoff on February 23, only to saythey had handed back the commission three days later.
"I am shocked by the uproar around my involvement in the spread of the Amanda Gorman's message, and I understand the people who feel hurt by Meulenhoff's decision to ask me," wrote Rijneveld.
Critics of the appointment questioned why a White writer had been chosen to translate the work of a Black writer.
Dutch cultural activist Janice Deul questioned the move in an op-ed for Dutch outlet De Volkskrant, published February 25.
"An incomprehensible choice, in my opinion and that of many others who expressed their pain, frustration, anger, and disappointment via social media," wrote Deul.
Gorman describes herself as a "skinny black girl," said Deul.
"And her work and life have been colored by her experience and identity as a black woman. Is it -- to say the least -- not a missed opportunity to hire Marieke Lucas Rijneveld for this job?" she added, pointing out that the Dutch writer has "no experience in this area."
"Nothing to detriment of Rijnveld's qualities, but why not choose a writer who -- just like Gorman -- is a spoken word artist, young, female, and unapologetically Black?," said Deul.
Rijneveld said they thought it was "a great and honorable assignment" to translate "The Hill We Climb," the poem which Gorman read at US President Joe Biden's inauguration, as well as the poet's first collection of poems.