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June 3, 2025
The Most George Orwell-ish 1984 Trigger Warning Ever! Writer Who Wrote Foreword For 75th Anniversary Edition Of 1984 Did Not Understand The Irony Of Her Critiques
Last year was the 75th anniversary of the publishing of George Orwell's much discussed book simply titled '1984', but recently some have noticed that this republishing of the book on it's anniversary contains a foreword written by someone who finds aspects of this novel "problematic."
It is noteworthy that this trigger warning at the very beginning of the book in the foreword written by someone namedDolen Perkins-Valdez, was approved by the George Orwell estate for this historical republishing of a book that has been a great source of discussion since it was first published in the summer of 1949.
As anyone that reads often can attest, a foreword is supposed to be what someone likes about a novel or book, not a criticism, nor a George Orwell-ish type trigger warning about aspects that the writer didn't appreciate as a "contemporary reader."
The writer of the foreword apparently found the lack of "black characters" to be an issue that she found herself "pausing again" because of, as well as finding the lead character problematic because of his "misogyny."
Here are a few excerpts from the forward that reads more like an upset activist than it does any type of actual writer.
Why even mention the fact that there are no "black characters" in a book from 1949, unless one is a black activist that apparently sees racial undertones in everything she reads? Sure enough a quick search for the writer of the foreword, and we find the description along with pictures that reinforce the opinion that everything seems to be seen through the lens of color for some.
"Dolen Perkins-Valdez is a celebrated Black American author known for her impactful storytelling centered around the complexities of race, history, and humanity. She has garnered critical acclaim and numerous awards for her novels, establishing herself as a prominent voice in contemporary historical fiction."
First and foremost, why the need to describe the color of her skin in the description. A look at the description of Orwell himself doesn't mention skin color at all.
George Orwell, born Eric Arthur Blair, was an influential English novelist and essayist, best known for his works "Animal Farm" and "Nineteen Eighty-Four," which critique totalitarianism and explore themes of social injustice.
If she is described as a "black writer," then why isn't Owell described as a "white writer"?
A website called Breaking News Now, they explain the controversy over this foreword in the following manner:
The inclusion of a foreword that apologizes for Orwells content and viewpoints has stirred considerable backlash. Critics contend that such a move undermines the novels core message about the perils of censorship and historical erasure. By labeling certain aspects of the book as "problematic," the foreword may inadvertently encourage the very ideological conformity that 1984 warns against. This paradox raises vital questions about how our contemporary values impact our engagement with historical texts.
The same site also notes, as many others online have, the "irony of apologizing," in a foreword of a book like George Orwell's 1984, stating "The irony of issuing an apology for a book that critiques totalitarianism and censorship is not lost on many, including journalist Matt Taibbi, who has openly criticized the forewords intention. This act of contemporary sensitivity can be interpreted as a form of censorship in itself, suggesting that the themes of 1984 are too complex or uncomfortable for modern audiences. This situation invites deeper reflection on the nature of literary engagementshould we sanitize challenging works, or confront their uncomfortable truths? "
Matt Taibbi, mentioned above, took part in a discussion about the book itself on 'America This Week, Live,' which is a great discussion, but they specifically speak to this foreword starting at the1:36:00 mark of the video below, where they highlight the "irony" of this type of foreword, written by someone with an obvious racial agenda.
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To give Dolen Perkins-Valdez some credit, she did describe rereading 1084 as a "joyful reread," for her despite its "imperfections," which again suggests there is something wrong with Orwell's writing, which considering the time it was written, there was not. Even making the claim it was a joyful reread, you can almost "hear" the disdain of the basic concepts Orwell brings to the front of consciousness.
Frankly reading that makes me wonder if she truly read the entire novel, because the "context" Orwell was writing about, is the exact context we use that terminology now. "The Ministry of Truth" represents the same thing in Orwell's world of 1984, as it does now. A group that attempts to punish wrong-think.
Ditto for "Big Brother," meaning the government is always watching. Same context, so her claim there is dubious at best, deliberately misleading at worst.
BOTTOM LINE.....
In the video above,Walter Kirn's reaction at the1:39:45 mark, appropriately notes the irony, and he gets the bottom line because of it:
"Thank you for your trigger warning to 1984. It is the most 1984-ish thing I have ever f***ing read!"
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