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Author Junot Diaz received loads of support and sympathy on social media last month when he penned a deeply personal and disturbing essay about being sexually abused as a child and how that trauma has impacted his life.

But today, Diaz is receiving side-eyes instead of pats on the back as numerous women reveal instances of misogynistic behavior from him and at least one woman alleges sexual misconduct against him.

READ MORE: Author Junot Diaz pens essay for The New Yorker detailing devastating childhood rape

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Early this morning, What We Lose author Zinni Clemmons accused Diaz of forcibly kissing her when she was a graduate student.

“As a grad student, I invited Junot Diaz to speak to a workshop on issues of representation in literature. I was an unknown wide-eyed 26 yo, and he used it as an opportunity to corner and forcibly kiss me. I’m far from the only one he’s done this 2, I refuse to be silent anymore,” she wrote.

Clemmons alludes to other women that Diaz has been physically inappropriate with, and other women on Twitter have said the same.

After relaying a story about Diaz publicly berating her, author Carmen Maria Machado echoed Clemmons’ sentiment about there being other sexual misconduct victims.

 

The claims against Diaz are unfolding in real-time on social media, but one major theme amongst the allegations has been aggressive and misogynistic behavior towards female authors, especially women of color.

 

Beyond ‘Cancelling’

In recent years (especially in the past few months with the #MeToo movement resurgence), any time a celebrity is “outed” with their own alleged trash behavior, there is talk of ‘cancelling’ said person and debates rage on about how to separate a person from their art or public persona.

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In many circles, Diaz has been a highly respected author for years, so as in the above mentioned instances, chatter has already begun.  These allegations coming to light, especially after his powerful New Yorker essay, have prompted his fans and colleagues to readjust and ponder the appropriate next actions.

 

At least one bookseller has already taken action. Women of color-owned pop-up bookstore Duende District has taken Diaz’ work off of their shelves.

Some of Diaz’s long-time critics have pointed out that his work has always been steeped in misogyny and a few have even suggested that his New Yorker essay was a pre-emptive move to proffer sympathy because he knew the #MeToo stories against him were coming.

Diaz has yet to publicly address the allegations.



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