Current:Home > Contact-usJustin Torres wins at National Book Awards as authors call for cease-fire in Gaza-LoTradeCoin
Justin Torres wins at National Book Awards as authors call for cease-fire in Gaza
View Date:2024-12-23 15:28:15
Justin Torres' novel Blackouts is an ode to the erased and forgotten histories of queer people. And it is now the recipient of the National Book Award for fiction. But during his speech Wednesday night, he invited all the other finalists on stage to deliver a collective statement calling for a cease-fire in Gaza.
"We oppose the ongoing bombardment of Gaza," said Aaliayh Bilal, author of the book Temple Folk, standing in front of more than a dozen finalists. "We oppose antisemitism, and anti-Palestinian sentiment and Islamophobia equally, accepting the human dignity of all parties, knowing that further bloodshed does nothing to secure lasting peace in the region."
LeVar Burton hosted the ceremony, opening with a pointed dig at Moms for Liberty, the activist group driving many of the calls for books to be pulled from school shelves across the country. "Are there any moms for liberty in the house?" asked Burton. "No? Good. then hands will not need to be thrown tonight," he joked.
Special guest Oprah Winfrey also mentioned the rise in books being removed from public schools. "To ban books is to strangle off what sustains us and makes us better people," said Winfrey.
Here's the full list of winners:
- Young People's Literature: A First Time for Everything, by Dan Santat
- Translated Literature: The Words that Remain, by Stênio Gardel, translated by Bruna Dantas Lobato
- Poetry: from unincorporated territory [åmot], by Craig Santos Perez
- Nonfiction: The Rediscovery of America: Native Peoples and the Unmaking of U.S. History, by Ned Blackhawk
- Fiction: Blackouts, by Justin Torres
Rumors of the authors making a collective statement on the Israel-Hamas war were swirling ahead of the ceremony. The book company Zibby Media, pulled out of the proceedings as a sponsor. Founder Zibby Owens wrote on Substack that she asked event organizers if they would intervene if any of the winners' speeches were anti-semitic.
"My team and I pulled out because when I asked for an assurance from the [National Book Foundation] that they would be on top of this, that they would take swift action to address this if it became an issue," wrote Owens. "They did not provide any such assurances."
The National Book Foundation issued a statement re-asserting that winners were allowed to make brief remarks after winning, and that political statements were not unprecedented at the National Book Awards. "At this time of so much pain and suffering in our world, we believe writers' words—and the insight and inspiration they bring—are more important than ever."
veryGood! (84646)
Related
- Dramatic video shows Phoenix police rescue, pull man from car submerged in pool: Watch
- Fossil of Neanderthal child with signs of Down syndrome suggests compassionate care, scientists say
- Takeaways: How Trump’s possible VP pick shifted on LGBTQ+ issues as his presidential bid neared
- Supreme Court limits scope of obstruction charge levied against Jan. 6 defendants, including Trump
- Bitcoin has topped $87,000 for a new record high. What to know about crypto’s post-election rally
- Doug Burgum vetoed anti-LGBTQ measures while governor. Then he started running for president
- President Teddy Roosevelt's pocket watch back on display after being stolen decades ago
- Class-action lawsuit claims Omaha Housing Authority violated tenants’ rights for years
- Moana 2 Star Dwayne Johnson Shares the Empowering Message Film Sends to Young Girls
- Roseanne Actor Martin Mull Dead at 80
Ranking
- Roster limits in college small sports put athletes on chopping block while coaches look for answers
- Iowa's Supreme Court rules 6-week abortion ban can be enforced
- Jewell Loyd scores a season-high 34 points as Storm cool off Caitlin Clark and Fever 89-77
- Rachel Lindsay Calls Out Ex Bryan Abasolo for Listing Annual Salary as $16K in Spousal Support Request
- Colts' Kenny Moore II ridicules team's effort in loss to Bills
- Russian satellite breaks up, sends nearly 200 pieces of space debris into orbit
- Video shows a meteotsunami slamming Lake Michigan amid days of severe weather. Here's what to know.
- Tom Cruise Steps Out With His and Nicole Kidman’s Son Connor for Rare Outing in London
Recommendation
-
'Heretic' spoilers! Hugh Grant spills on his horror villain's fears and fate
-
Mavericks trade Tim Hardaway Jr. and three second-round picks to Pistons
-
Orlando Cepeda, the slugging Hall of Fame first baseman nicknamed `Baby Bull,’ dies at 86
-
Martin Mull, hip comic and actor from ‘Fernwood Tonight’ and ‘Roseanne,’ dies at 80
-
Man waives jury trial in killing of Georgia nursing student
-
Pair of giant pandas from China arrive safely at San Diego Zoo
-
Supreme Court rejects Trump ally Steve Bannon’s bid to delay prison sentence
-
BBMak Is Back Here With a Rare Update 2 Decades After Their Breakup