Target: Jonathan Karp, President of Simon & Schuster
Goal: Stop distributing books published by Post Hill Press.
Post Hill Press has recently announced that they will move forward with the publication of a memoir written by Jonathan Mattingly, an officer who shot at Breonna Taylor the night that she was killed, despite public outcry. Although Simon & Schuster normally distributes books published by Post Hill Press, they have announced that they will not be involved with the Mattingly memoir. However, Simon & Schuster has no plans to stop their distribution deal with Post Hill Press.
Simon & Schuster has made previous statements about systemic racism. On Twitter, the company claimed: “Black stories matter. We stand against racism and violence. We stand with Black authors, illustrators, readers, colleagues, educators, librarians, creators–now, and always.” Simon & Schuster cannot stand with the Black community while also continuing to profit from business deals with a publishing house that so blatantly does not respect the Black community. Sign this petition to urge Simon & Schuster to stop distributing books published by Post Hill Press.
PETITION LETTER:
To Mr. Karp,
Simon & Schuster holds great power in determining what types of stories reach the public. In this way, the publishing house becomes a gatekeeper, a position that bestows a great deal of responsibility. Simon & Schuster has made public statements in support of racial equality and the BIPOC community. However, now Simon & Schuster must uphold their assertion that they “stand with Black authors, illustrators, colleagues, educators, librarians, creators–now, and always” by taking action to break connections with companies that do not share these values. I urge you to stop distributing books published by Post Hill Press.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: ActuaLitté
232 Signatures