Celebrity author Nicholas Sparks thinks Black kids "are too poor and can't do the academic work" at his school
No more book deals for bigots ! Demand Grand Central Publishing drop Nicholas Sparks now.
Dear friend,
Nicholas Sparks, celebrity author of “The Notebook” and one of America’s most celebrated romance novelists, doesn’t believe that Black children are smart enough to attend the school he co-founded.1
In 2006, Sparks helped to create the Epiphany School of Global Studies in New Bern, North Carolina. Seven years later, in 2013, there were only two Black students enrolled, even though the school is located in a county that is 40 percent Black. When confronted with this obvious injustice by the former headmaster of the school, Sparks claimed the lack of Black students was because they were “too poor and can’t do the academic work." 2
Racist stereotypes like this ensure that Black people are seen as unworthy and unwilling, instead of hardworking and smart. These warped views are used to justify the criminalization and exclusion of Black people across the country, and have roots in plantation era politics. It puts the onus on us to change such perceptions when in reality bigots like Nicholas Sparks must be held accountable for their racist views. Let's not allow a racist author to rewrite our story. In Hollywood, anti-Black racism is not treated as a career ender, but together we can help to hold this industry accountable to a higher standard that respects Black people.
Sparks is a millionaire, having written books that amass millions of dollars, some of which turn into million-dollar movie deals. He is considered throughout the mainstream as a leader in the industry, and without intervention, he will continue to be prolific despite his racist and disparaging view of Black people. What’s worse, when emails clearly outlining his racist and intolerant views were made public days ago, he gave only a half-hearted apology for his anti-LGBTQ stance, completely ignoring his disturbing remarks on Black kids and Black people.3 Sparks doesn't feel like he needs to respond to his racist comments because that is not considered a deal breaker in Hollywood. The dominance of white centered narratives in the industry are echoed back in the work that Sparks creates; Black erasure in his storytelling and Black erasure in his school.
And this isn’t the first time Nicholas Sparks has been called out for his bigotry. The former headmaster of the school has taken legal action against the school board and Sparks for their patterns of “harassment, racism and homophobia.” 4 In a letter made public through the lawsuit, Sparks denies the history of racial injustice in America and blames a lack of opportunity in Black spaces on our “culture.” 5 We know that racists often use code words like ‘culture’ to blame Black folks for centuries of economic disenfranchisement, unemployment, and underemployment. We aren’t going to let this stereotype-laced “Black folks don’t try hard enough” garbage fly. We know how hard Black folks work, and we aren’t going to let Nicholas Sparks go back to business as usual. He must be held accountable. Let's set a precedent everywhere that racism does not reap rewards.
Until justice is real,
Brandi, Rashad, Arisha, Jade, Evan, Johnny, Future, Corina, Chad, Marcus, Folasade, Eesha, and the rest of the Color Of Change team
References :
- Lawsuit Claims Author Nicholas Sparks Is a Racist, Anti-Semitic Bully,” Daily Beast, April 14, 2017, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/147700?t=10&akid=33420%2E1942551%2ENiwN0F
- Author Nicholas Sparks Slams Accusations He Tried to Ban LGBT Club at School He Co-Founded,” The Hill, June 14, 2019, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/147701?t=12&akid=33420%2E1942551%2ENiwN0F
- ‘The Notebook’ Author Nicholas Sparks Apologizes to LGBTQ Community for Past Emails,” USA Today, June 17, 2019, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/147730?t=14&akid=33420%2E1942551%2ENiwN0F
- Author Nicholas Sparks Tried to Ban LGBT Club and Student Protests at His Christian School, Emails Reveal,” Daily Beast, June 13, 2019, https://act.colorofchange.org/go/147731?t=16&akid=33420%2E1942551%2ENiwN0F
- “Unearthed Emails Appear to Back Suit Accusing Nicholas Sparks of Racism, Homophobia,” HuffPost, June 13, 2019 https://act.colorofchange.org/go/147732?t=18&akid=33420%2E1942551%2ENiwN0F
Color Of Change is building a movement to elevate the voices of Black folks and our allies, and win real social and political change. Help keep our movement strong.
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