NO.
Ender’s Game is an excellent book; Orson Scott Card is an excellent writer. Just take in this fine prose:
“The dark secret of homosexual society — the one that dares not speak its name — is how many homosexuals first entered into that world through a disturbing seduction or rape or molestation or abuse, and how many of them yearn to get out of the homosexual community and live normally,” he wrote in 2004.
Magnificent.
In all seriousness, Orson Scott Card is a hateful person. He’s spouted off a handful of incendiary diatribes since he wrote Ender’s Game, each desperately grasping for some semblance of a backward, bigoted past.
As a result, I won’t go to see Ender’s Game this weekend. Card doesn’t deserve this kind of success.
I read the novel in elementary school and had the same reaction as many of my peers. The story line was gripping, the imagery was immersive and the ending was one of my first experiences of grappling with a moral dilemma.
Card clearly knew his audience, and he presented Ender as a protagonist for adolescent boys to identify with. It was remarkably easy to empathize with Ender after his final “game.” His struggle felt like mine.
But as is the way with 10-year-olds, I soon found other passions, and Ender’s Game faded into my past.
Ten years later, after realizing that the book’s writer is a homophobe, I can safely and easily make the decision not to support his work or his name.
Yes, Card got a flat fee from production company Summit Entertainment and distributor Lionsgate for the rights to his novel. So my money wouldn’t be going into his pocket, regardless.
And yes, my decision not to attend will be the most infinitesimal non-drop in the bucket for the $110 million flick expected to strike it rich at the box office.
But the principle still applies: When possible, don’t support haters. Success and wide appeal for this film indicates a larger social acceptance for people like Card. A successful Ender’s Game is a celebration of Card’s thoughts and ideals — and that’s pretty messed up.
If the film blows up and I somehow decide I have to see it, I’ll gladly fire up one of my favorite torrent services. Stealing is a more ethical decision as I see it.
Similar boycott efforts arose as a reaction to comments from Chick-fil-A COO Dan Cathy regarding homosexuality, the unpopular 2010 immigration law in Arizona and the perpetually unique (read: crazy) works of Ayn Rand. For these, my sentiments are the same.
If only I could torrent a chicken sandwich.
—Dan Appenfeller
YES.
A friend of mine lent me his copy of Ender’s Game when I was 8 years old. Entering the book’s world of aliens and space warfare grabbed my young mind and held on. It soon became one of my favorite novels — one I’ve read again and again. I read the rest of the series — even the one branch that was meant for adults, as it followed Ender through his later life.
Not once did I consider who Orson Scott Card was, besides one of my favorite science fiction writers. I read a number of his other books as well. I wasn’t aware of what a controversial real-life person he was (and is). The fact that Ender’s Game is coming out in film is the only thing that brought the issue onto my radar.
I know there have been plenty of allegations brought against Card’s character, and many of his public statements have drawn a lot of debate. He has been pushed back into the limelight with the new movie, and people are spending a lot of time concentrating on his personality and character.
But my question is: Why the hell should we care?
I disagree with many of Card’s opinions, but I honestly haven’t looked into it that much and don’t really intend to — because I simply don’t care.
My one and only concern when it comes to Card is his writing, which is phenomenal. Why should I care about his character or eccentricities? It’s like Ayn Rand. She has some pretty crazy viewpoints on pretty much everything. But The Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged are both remarkable books. You have to understand the difference between her real-life persona and her writing. She has produced works of fiction that are wonderful to read. And that’s exactly what Card did. His fiction is astounding, and that’s all that matters when it comes to the book and movie.
I understand that people are considering boycotting the Ender’s Game movie based on political motivations and differing ideologies between Card and the American masses. But this would be a wasted effort.
There are plenty of horrible people in this world who are making tons of money. From politicians to athletes to, yes, authors, people’s skill sets are often valued over their opinions, which makes sense. Of course, this ideology doesn’t apply if a person is a criminal or doing something to harm others. But a difference in a philosophy or belief system? Half the country doesn’t agree with whichever president is in office, whether he (or she) is a Republican or Democrat. But does a person stop paying taxes to the government because they don’t like a politician who was elected to office? No. Because then that person would lose the enjoyment of the things the government provides.
The same principle applies here. Ender’s Game is a phenomenal book, and I am hoping the movie can match its high standards. People would gain enjoyment by watching a movie based on a product Card provided to the people. Regardless of the author’s ideals, people shouldn’t deprive themselves of the opportunity to have a wonderful experience simply because they are angry he is making money.
So go watch Ender’s Game. Accept it for its cinematic value or how it compares to the book (if that was something you enjoyed reading growing up). Or don’t see it if you think you won’t like it. Just don’t make this about politics or a crusade against one man. Because when you think about it, what will trying to change one man’s opinion really accomplish in the long run?
—Maria Romas
