Editors quit, say sex misconduct went unpunished
BOSTON — Three editors at the Boston Review are resigning over the political and literary magazine’s decision to retain author Junot Diaz despite allegations of sexual misconduct.
Poetry editors Timothy Donnelly, Barbara Fischer and Stefania Heim said on Twitter last week they’re “dismayed” at the logic behind keeping Diaz as fiction editor and felt compelled to step down, effective July 1.
“Their position, especially as expressed in their statement, was deeply at odds with our own and with the work we do,” Donnelly said by email Monday.
Editors-in-chief
Deborah Chasman and Joshua Cohen announced they had concluded the accusations didn’t suggest a pattern of abuse that would merit letting Diaz go.
Author Zinzi Clemmons and other female writers recently shared stories of Diaz’s behavior. Clemmons said Diaz forcibly kissed her several years ago; others cited instances when they felt he had verbally attacked them. Diaz, who didn’t immediately comment on the controversy, has said he takes responsibility for past actions.
Chasman and Cohen said Monday they listened to the concerns of the three poetry editors and others before deciding. They said their departures were saddening but wouldn’t impact the magazine’s operations, as no other editors resigned.