We Need To Talk About Literary Ireland's Class Problem
I was taking a break from work and drinking my second coffee of the morning while mindlessly scrolling Instagram when I came across this post from acclaimed author Katriona O’Sullivan and was quite stopped in my tracks. I would urge everyone, particularly Irish writers, to listen to the whole piece.
In summary: attending the most popular and acclaimed artists’ residency in the country, Katriona O’Sullivan was minding her business at the famous communal dinner when she was accosted by a young woman who worked in media and was pushing to get a book of her essays published, presumably inspired by the likes of Emilie Pine and similar. This woman declared that a reviewer friend of hers had reviewed Katriona O’Sullivan’s memoir “Poor”. She asked Katriona if she wanted to hear what this reviewer had thought of it. “Not if it’s going to hurt me,” Katriona said, to which this thundering bitch blithely replied, “Oh, she said it was not so much ‘poor’ as ‘poor choices’.” I imagine she ended her knife jab with a thin little giggle. I imagine her being thin, well-manicured, counting her words like she counts her calories.
I cannot tell you the rage I felt when a visibly distressed Katriona described this on her insta video. Not just at the cruelty of the gesture. Not just at the class exclusion. Not just at the fact that the abusive, unsafe behaviour in what should have been a safe place was explicitly non-consensual and forced upon Katriona. No, not just at all of these.
The rage I felt was reading every Irish writer on the thread chime in with consoling words about how this woman was wrong and how Katriona was a successful artist -without one word being said by any Irish writer about finding out who this person in their milieu was, and how they could be censured and punished for this violation of a safe space. There was no acknowledgement whatsoever that the same toxic systems that allowed Katriona to have her writing holiday ruined also are those which all Irish writers implicitly tolerate and navigate, due to fear of withheld grants, bad reviews, or because they themselves perpetuate inequality.
I have a question for my fellow Irish writers who must navigate within the system - do you truly consider Katriona to be one of your peers? If so, why the hell aren’t you kicking up an absolute stink over this? Why are you not complaining to the centre in question and demanding that they ensure that absolute…I’m out of words…that woman is never permitted to darken the door of the centre again? Why are you not looking to ensure that publishers know about this thing she did and get her blacklisted? Is it because she might be reviewing you next?
Oh, you think I’m overreacting? If you’re inclined to tell me that, I rather think you don’t really give a shiny shit about Katriona and would throw her to the wolves if it meant you were well-in with the gatekeepers, movers and shakers and helped get your book published. And Katriona is very successful. It says something that prejudices are so ingrained that a successful working-class writer can be treated like crap without consequences. And how do you imagine this will encourage others from marginalised backgrounds? It’s always the same set of people pulling the same crap and we all just let them.
Oh, you find my anger unattractive, Irish writer? Kiss my white middle-class backside, sweetie, because I’m not finished.
Let’s break it down one more time: Katriona was in what she thought was a safe space to write. She was attacked, non-consensually, in that safe space due to her working-class background. She was upset and distressed. And not one of you could be bothered making a complaint to the literary centre on her behalf, or seeking to find and punish the perpetrator? You’d have the absolute gall to tell Katriona to “rise above” nonconsensual abuse in a safe space? That is violence. Against Katriona, and if the woman got in on a grant, against the Irish taxpayer too. Do you think I want my hard-earned money to support a woman like that?
If you have anything resembling a conscience, Irish writers, please email the centre and complain. I won’t name it for privacy, but the email is info@ [nameofcentrethatsoundslikeacounty] dot ie. I have already done so. Thank you.