Houston, Tex.-When the Romance Writers of America announced their 2021 awards, the book At Love's Command by Karen Witemeyer, was presented as the best romance with religious or spiritual elements of 2021, as part of the inaugural Vivan Awards.
However, the judges determining the award were soon criticized for insensitivities to Native Americans. The book opens with a scene depicting the Wounded Knee Massacre, and critics feel it romanticized the killing of Native Americans.
The book, published by the Christian publisher, Bethany House, is described as the story of a fictional ex-cavalry officer who is "haunted by the horrors of war." The character ends up leading a band of mercenaries who "defend the innocent and obtain justice for the oppressed."
As news spread about the award-winning book, RWA members got on social media and contacted the organization to share their displeasure.
The Romance Writers of America board gathered for an emergency meeting at which they decided to rescind the award.
"RWA is in full support of First Amendment rights; however, as an organization that continually strives to improve our support of marginalized authors, we cannot in good conscience uphold the decision of the judges in voting to celebrate a book that depicts the inhumane treatment of indigenous people and romanticizes real world tragedies that still affect people to this day," the organization announced. "RWA is rescinding the Vivian awarded to the book finalist 'At Love's Command.'"
Bethany House representatives defended At Love's Command in a written statement, saying they have heard from many readers who have been moved by the book's portrayal of redemption and hope.
"In the opening scene of the novel, Witemeyer's hero, a military officer, is at war with the Lakota, weary of war, but fully participating in the battle at Wounded Knee. The death toll, including noncombatant Lakota women and children, sickens him, and he identifies it as the massacre it is and begs God for forgiveness for what he's done. The author makes it clear throughout the book that the protagonist deeply regrets his actions and spends the rest of his life trying to atone for the wrong that he did."
The Wounded Knee massacre was one of "the darkest moments of our nation's history" and a "deplorable" act of violence, according to Bethany House. Both the publisher and author intended to "recount this history for the tragedy it was," the publisher said.
However, critics felt the horrors of the event were not adequately depicted.
The literary firestorm comes in the first year of the organization's new contest. The Vivian Awards replaced the annual RITA awards after the organization faced controversy over a lack of diversity, which led to the president and board of directors resigning in 2021. The new Vivan Awards are named after Vivian Stephens, a Black author who founded Romance Writers of America .
