After several women spoke out, alleging that Junot Díaz has engaged in sexual misconduct and vicious misogyny, the Pulitzer Prize Board and MIT, both institutions with which Díaz has a relationship, have decided to look into the matter. It’s nice to know that more and more institutions are starting to take allegations like this seriously.
As reported by Jezebel, the Pulitzer Prize Board released a statement yesterday saying that they were “independently investigating sexual misconduct allegations leveled against one of its members, author Junot Díaz.” Díaz asked to relinquish his recently-elected role as Chairman of the Board, but he is still a board member, and so the board needs to decide whether or not they feel comfortable with that.
Their statement reads:
“The Pulitzer Prize Board has authorized an independent review of allegations of misconduct against one of its members, Junot Díaz. Mr. Díaz said he welcomed the review and would cooperate fully with it.
Mr. Díaz was elected incoming chairman at the board’s April meeting, as is customary for the senior member of the board. He has asked to relinquish this role, and the board has accepted his request. Mr. Díaz remains on the board.
Eugene Robinson, the board’s immediate past chairman, has resumed the chairmanship on a short-term, interim basis.”
Meanwhile, MIT, where Díaz teaches writing, has also announced that they would be looking into the sexual misconduct allegations.
While it’s too soon to tell how this will affect not only Díaz’s life, but that of the women who came forward, and of the people Díaz serves through these institutions, I’m thrilled that the Pulitzer Prize Board and MIT are looking into this at all. Time’s Up on the systemically supported misogyny of the literary establishment.
(image: The New Yorker)
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