Statement on the Cancellation of Alyssa Rosenheck's "White. Blonde. Jew." Book Launch

America's strength has always rested on the free exchange of ideas — the ability of authors to write, bookstores to host, and communities to gather and engage, even on subjects that are difficult or divisive. That principle was tested recently in Nashville, and it did not hold.

When pressure and intimidation forced the cancellation of Alyssa Rosenheck’s book launch for "White. Blonde. Jew.," Alyssa was silenced before her readers ever had the chance to hear her. The circumstances made the event unsafe to hold and put Bell Bird Books in an untenable position.

No bookstore or small business should have to face harassment for hosting a speaker, just as no author should have to fear being silenced because of who they are or what they believe. That is not the kind of community — or country — we should want to build.

There is a painful irony here that should not be lost: a book written, in part, about the experience of navigating identity and antisemitism became the occasion for exactly the kind of silencing it describes. That is the kind of climate that made a book like this necessary to write.

Jewish voices should not be silenced. No one should have to wonder whether being Jewish, or being perceived as holding certain views about Israel, will make them unwelcome in public life. We can disagree, we can protest peacefully, and we can engage in difficult conversations — all without resorting to harassment or intimidation. Peaceful protest is a protected constitutional right; harassment and intimidation aimed at forcing cancellation is a different thing entirely, and we should be clear about that difference.

Every author deserves the opportunity to share their work without being intimidated because of their identity or beliefs. Every bookstore and community institution should be able to host difficult conversations without fear of being targeted for doing so. These principles should concern every American, regardless of where they stand on any particular issue.

We stand with every business and individual committed to protecting the free exchange of ideas. A society that truly values free speech must also reject antisemitism in all its forms and ensure that Jewish voices — like all voices — can be heard without fear or intimidation. Our response to disagreement should be more dialogue, not less. Open conversation strengthens our democracy; censorship and intimidation weaken it.