Author Michael Swanwick announced on his blog yesterday “My Resignation from Honorary President of the International Union of Writers”. As background he explained —
Most of those reading this are not aware of my position as the Honorary President of the International Union of Writers, a writers’ organization headquartered in Moscow. However, it meant a great deal to me. I have good friends in Russia and I believe in reportage and literature, particularly science fiction, and specifically Russian science fiction, as a force for good.
Swanwick added in a cover email to File 770: “I have resigned from my position as honorary president of the International Union of Writers as of February 22 of this year. This was an unhappy decision to make, but I can see no alternative.” A copy of his resignation letter is below.
To
Alexander Nikolaevich Gritsenko
Chairman of the Board
International Union of Writers
Sir,
It is with deep regret that I am compelled to submit my resignation as honorary president of the International Union of Writers, effective immediately. Given the Russian invasion of Ukraine I cannot, however indirectly, support Vladimir Putin, his government, and their expansionist ambitions.
I am grateful for the honor that the IUW afforded me, and I still believe in the importance of honest writing and its potential to create a better world. If I can be of assistance in the furtherance of those goals, I will do what I can.
Sincerely,
Michael Swanwick
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Good for you, Mr Swanwick! Thank you for standing in protest of Putin’s act of war. Everyone who loves freedom and respects the rights of people to live in peace should follow your example.
Well done indeed.
How sad! But under the circumstances I can see how it must be done.
Bravo.
Bravo!
Congratulations, Mr Swanwick. Your resignation stands for a principle of the highest importance.
Michael has done the right thing and, in stating the following “… I cannot, however indirectly, support…” illustrates how individuals in our community should have responded to other, similar circumstances.
Thank you Michael for demonstrating what standing up for an ideal is really all about.
Resignations in protest only have a positive impact (and then rarely) in English style parliamentary politics. In all others, it means a voice and force for good has been self-silenced. That is what has happened here, IMO.
@Miles Carter: Swanwick is not self-silenced. He spoke out, loud and clear. If he chose to speak only in IUW committee meetings, that would be self-silencing. Yes, his resignation is symbolic. But this is a writers group. Writers deal in symbols. It seems highly appropriate.
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Thank you for taking this action!