The Amazon dust has settled, and yet, some people still want to boycott Amazon. But I don’t. And here’s why:
It was never about rights.
For me, this was never about the authors right to free speech or Amazon’s right to sell whatever they want to sell. I can’t control either of those things. And I fully expect Amazon to sell plenty of books that I disagree with.
But what I can do, what I should do, (what I did do) is ask Amazon to make a better decision and hold a higher standard. They don’t have to listen, but they did.
Amazon listened. They took the book down.
Maybe it was under the peer pressure of social media and several major news networks, (maybe it was because they are scared for their Christmas profits as some have suggested, I don’t know.) But they listened, and I appreciate that. I appreciate a business that gets feedback from the public and listens.
This book crossed a line.
I’m not naive enough to think that Amazon doesn’t carry books that would offend me. I imagine they carry a whole host of books that I would disagree with. But for me, there’s a difference between a book about a different religion or lifestyle and a “How to” book that encourages illegal activity that would result in the victimization of minors.
This whole hullabaloo has exposed a few other books that Amazon is currently carrying, in which the authors give their opinion that relationships with children are okay. Well, they’re not. And I completely disagree with that. But again, there’s a difference in stating your opinion and teaching people how to groom minors for contact! For me, that was a key difference, and why I asked Amazon to remove the book.
Some people still want to boycott Amazon because they still carry these other books.
Some people are still upset with Amazon, so they’ve said they won’t be giving Amazon any more of their service. People have promised to shop elsewhere at stores that don’t carry any of these offensive titles. And you know what? That’s their right, too. I’m okay with that. In fact, if you’d come up to me saying that it bothered you that Amazon sold offensive books and what should you do? I’d say, well, you don’t have to shop there, you can shop somewhere else. So go ahead, because if it bothers you, that’s what you should do.
But I’m not going to give up on Amazon just yet.
Amazon did what we asked them. And for fairness, I have to point out that everyone calling for boycott said “we’ll boycott you until this book is pulled” and it has been. I never personally said that; I chose to wait and see if Amazon did the right thing. And this time, they did, and I’m happy they did. For other books, I still have the option of flagging books as inappropriate and hoping they continue to do the right thing. And there is still the online petition asking Amazon to discontinue offering books that promote pedophilia. I don’t think that petition should be abandoned just because this little hullabaloo is over. As a business that has the right to choose what they do and don’t sell, Amazon has an opportunity here to set a higher standard for themselves and show their commitment to their customers. I sincerely hope that is what Amazon would choose to do.
Oh, and that book? It was self-published.
Turns out that this offensive book was uploaded by the author and made available for the Kindle, which basically anybody can do with anything they write – no publisher needed. Amazon does state that they will not allow the sale of “objectionable content” but they don’t define “objectionable” and one must wonder how exactly the approval process works. Certainly this unfortunate event has proven that Amazon needs to examine their ‘publish for Kindle’ process, which I also hope they do.
Businesses beware.
Social media has grown into a new and different thing that most people never expected. Not only has it become the quickest way to spread news (earthquakes, the rescue of Chilean miners, deaths of famous actors,..) but it has now become the fastest way to assemble a large mass of people for a cause (sometimes resembling lynch mobs.) Sometimes the cause is right. Sometimes the mob is misinformed and that’s kind of scary. In this case, purchased copies of the book proved that the outcry was justified. But I have to admit – social media with it’s fangs reared? It’s kind of scary.
For more detailed updates on the whole thing, this Amazon post at Mama Says has links to the other books I’ve mentioned, links to excerpts and other details.
I, for one, am glad this thing is over. (For now.)
Amen and thank you! You voiced almost exactly my same words and feelings. Amazon totally crossed the line by allowing the Kindle publication in the first place, but thankfully that’s all it was. And every single large bookseller sells books that are controversial or even totally inappropriate BUT as you said, there is a difference between giving opinions and teaching perverts how to violate children. A big difference!.
Thank you, Dawn. =)
This “I’m not naive enough to think that Amazon doesn’t carry books that would offend me. I imagine they carry a whole host of books that I would disagree with. But for me, there’s a difference between a book about a different religion or lifestyle and a “How to” book that encourages illegal activity that would result in the victimization of minors” I am a huge support of free speech. If you want to talk all day about pedophilia, fine. I personally find it repulsive, and wrong on every level, but, As Noam Chomsky puts it, “If we don’t believe… Read more »
“Freedom of speech is great, I’m very thankful for it. But, some people will try to take advantage of it. Promoting illegal activity is taking advantage.”
Exactly. People have the right to say whatever they want. But there are some things that don’t need to be said. A wise person knows when to speak and when not to.
We also have to discern when to speak out against something freely spoken, and when to hold our tongue. It’s no easy thing.
If Amazon ever thinks they can get away with it again, however, they will do it. This is evident by previous Amazon offerings of selling materials that promote illegal activity such as RapeLay that was also removed as a result of consumer outcry. Their greed is obviously not letting them learn that consumers would be loyal and stand behind them if th(buy, buy, buy) if they could be assured that Amazon had strength of character and was an institution that could be relied on for quality. I refuse to promote their support of such evil (and they do support it… Read more »
Hi, Kim. I can completely understand your position. Amazon very well may try to sell objectionable material in the future. And I wouldn’t be surprised. (After all, they do not claim to be a Christian or even a family oriented business.) On the other hand.. there are no perfect book retailers (though there may be a lesser of two evils.) Another book, which I find completely offensive, yet which is very difficult to argue is illegal, a book that makes me weep, is “To Train Up a Child” by Micheal & Debi Pearl. (If you are unfamiliar, Google the book… Read more »
I already told you as much, but thank you for this post, because you voiced what I was thinking better than I could have said it. I think when it comes right down to it, it’s like everything else in life…the truth is, we can’t be responsible for anyone else’s behavior, choices, or decisions…we can only be responsible for our own, and for our reactions to their actions, etc. Amazon is big business. Big business is interested in PROFIT FIRST. To think otherwise is just naive. So, for me personally, i take each event and process it, examine it, wait… Read more »