Guernica, a non-profit journal publishing work on the intersection of artwork and politics, revealed a robust essay by a literary interpreter working in Israel and her expertise within the wake of October 7 and the ensuing battle between Israel and Hamas. The essay, “From the Edges of a Broken World,” by Joanna Chen, offers a first-hand account of how life has modified for the writer. It’s deeply private, and maybe difficult in that it doesn’t hew to a “side” within the present battle–and maybe that was the issue. Not hewing to the right aspect’s perspective, the essay was too difficult for some portion of Guernica‘s readership.
Though Guernica proclaims that it’s “a home for singular voices, incisive ideas, and critical questions,” this essay apparently crossed the road. The article has been faraway from the journal’s web site. As a substitute reads the message: “Guernica regrets having published this piece, and has retracted it. A more fulsome explanation will follow.”
Luckily, there may be an archived model of the piece out there right here. Give it a learn after which ponder how this piece could possibly be so objectionable that it wanted to be de-published–not merely criticized or challenged, however truly eliminated.
A present fundraising enchantment on the Guernica web site declares: “At Guernica, we’ve spent the last 15 years producing uncompromising journalism.” After de-publishing the essay, that enchantment could must be taken down too.
