Neil Gaiman may be known most for his works of fiction, but the author most recently made headlines for lending his celebrity and esteem to Charlie Hedbo as the satirical magazine endures controversy concerning an award it recently received.
The award in question, the Toni and James C. Goodale Freedom of Expression Courage Award, was awarded to the magazine by the literary organization PEN. Controversy around the award and Charlie Hedbo began after six writers opted to withdraw from the ceremony as a form of protest to the satirical magazine receiving the honor, according to Salon.
The six writers were Peter Carey, Teju Cole, Rachel Kushner, Michael Ondaatje, Francine Prose, and Taiye Selasis, according to The Guardian. The six writers also joined a group of over 200 more in adding their signatures to a letter effectively protesting the decision made by PEN to reward Charlie Hedbo. Other writers who have chosen to sign the letter in protest of the award are Eric Bogosian, Eve Ensler, Keith Gessen, and Joyce Carol Oates, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The letter claims that by choosing to reward Charlie Hedbo with the award, PEN is also opting to reward work that has offended people and furthered anti-Islam sentiment. By virtue of the six choosing to bypass the ceremony, six tables were also opened up suddenly at the event. Each of the six writers had been tabbed to be table hosts for the event,
This is where Gaiman, along with fellow writers Alison Bechdel, Alain Mabanckou, Azar Mafisi, George Packer, and Art Spiegelman chose to step in for the protesting six and serve as the replacement table hosts for the event.
Gaiman has said he felt honored to be able to participate in the event honoring the satirical magazine. Charlie Hedbo's editor-in-chief, Gerard Biard, along with film critic Jean-Baptiste Thoret accepted the award at the event, according to Time.
Extra security was also present for the proceedings. The event was held at the Museum of Natural History in New York City.
Join the Conversation