Candace Owens Slams American Booksellers Association for Branding Her Book ‘Racist'
'We cannot accept this racism'
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Conservative activist Candace Owens torched the American Booksellers Association (ABA) after their CEO apologized for unintentionally promoting her book while claiming it is “racist.”
Owens called for an apology and accusing CEO Allison Hill of “unspeakable, explicit racism” and slander for their description of her book, “Blackout: How Black America Can Make Its Second Escape from the Democrat Plantation.”
Owens wrote in a tweet:
“For those of you that don’t know, the CEO of American Bookseller’s Association (@ABAbook) recently sent around an email apologizing for promoting my book and labeling my book as racist."
"The is the CEO, Allison Hill, who sees no irony in calling a black woman racist."
“I am calling for a public apology from @ABAbook and Allison Hill."
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"It is an act of unspeakable, explicit racism for a white woman to send around an e-mail slandering and denigrating an autobiographical book from a black woman who came from nothing,” she added.
"We cannot accept this racism."
I am calling for a public apology from @ABAbook and Allison Hill. It is an act of unspeakable, explicit racism for a white woman to send around an e-mail slandering and denigrating an autobiographical book from a black woman who came from nothing.
— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) August 11, 2021
We cannot accept this racism. https://t.co/0aCk47Xbvd
The ABA confused Owens’ book with another earlier this year and accidentally promoted her book to hundreds of book stores.
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Hill wrote a letter apologizing to the booksellers and blamed the mistake on staffing changes and improper training.
She said the mistake about Owen's book was down to ignorant staff pulling the cover image of Owens’ book and not realizing it was a conservative author.
“It was a terrible mistake with terrible racist implications,” Hill said.
"However, based on our investigation and the demonstrated diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) commitment of these individuals, we have no reason to believe the action was malicious in intention.
“The employees are very apologetic and very committed to vigilance going forward.
"They have been held accountable and have agreed to training, both on procedures as well as on DEI, and we have added layers of checks and balances to this process,” she added.
Hill said Shrier’s book was not recognized because of the “pay-to-play" nature of the mailing system.
“The box mailing has been an effective mailing service for publishers, ABA, and booksellers,” she said.
"Publishers pay ABA to include titles in the box, and ABA sends it to eligible bookstores.
“Until now, no one has ever reviewed or screened the titles submitted by publishers.”
