I know that thread title is a little on the vague side, but bear with me. I have just written a sci-fi/fantasy-esque novel, soon to be joined by two others in a trilogy. I’m not getting into what it’s about in this thread, but I do want to get it published someday. There is one problem, though: it takes place in a world that is united under one government called the Global Republic of Zion. Now, I chose the name Zion because their motto is “The World is Our Homeland.” Everyone lives on the same planet in their own independent countries, but they are all united under Zion rule. Seems pretty benign, right? Well, my grandmother (a fervent Jew) brought to my attention that there is a nasty anti-Semitic piece of propaganda out there called “The Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion.” A nasty piece of propaganda that says that the Jews will unite and take over the world. To make things worse, the Zion in my story is shown doing some nasty, evil things.
Uh-oh. Can you smell the controversy?
I could change the name easily. I really could. In fact, I have an alternate name (Zebulon) which I think is pretty nifty. But it would hurt me. I’ve been thinking of this government as Zion for so long that it’s hard for me to call it anything else. My book has a helluva lot of religious references in it anyway. I’m stuck, though, because I know now that this one name has the potential to really offend people. So here’s where I need advice: Should I keep the name? Change it? Keep it, but put a disclaimer in the front that pleads for mercy? I await your replies with bated breath.
Oh yes, and I’m sorry if this is in the wrong forum. I was stuck between Café Society and IMHO. Feel free to move it if you wish.
I don’t think it’d be offensive in the context of your story… though, I’d be adverse to using it because Zion is the name of the last bastion of humanity in The Matrix movies, so it might seem like you’re riffing on the Matrix to a lot of people.
Unless it’s critical to the plot, I’d have the characters casually refer to their world as “United Midgard” or “Pangea” or something similarly archaic.
When I said Sci-Fi, it’s sort of 1984 Sci-Fi. Dystopia. Propaganda, you know. And Alessan, I am a reader, if you are talking about me, and I also happen to be a Jew that is NOT offended very easily . But I understand what you guys are talking about. Thank you for all your responses. I’m changing the name (to what, I don’t know, but I’m definitely not keeping it Zion anymore!)
You publishers will more than likely determine the appropriateness of the title, but it’s probably wise that you have decided to make that change before submitting it.
It’s not just about offending people. As a writer you want to be aware of what connotations or associations people are going to take away from your work. People are going to react to Zion in a way they aren’t going to react to Zebulon., whether they think you are making some sort of racial or religious point, or just think you’re ripping off the Matrix.
Also, in a worst case scenario, if it is published as is, you might even see idiot white supremacists take it up as their own. It’s happened before. Some Robert Crumb strips about racial stereotypes and fears got reprinted (without permission) in a racist newspaper by someone who took them seriously.
I’m going to play Devil’s Advocate here and say keep it the way it is.
We have a woefully ignorant populance who’ll take one look Zion and figure you’re doing a rip-off on the Matrix Trilogy and see your book soley in those terms – God bless the socially retarded.
Consider yourself fully informed of the likely, um, fervor you’ll be met with, however. Now, hear at the pre-publishing stage, you got two options: you can struggle mightily against expectations and draft a narrative that brilliantly refuses to conform to stereotype and is awash with perfect irony re: a religious themed world-conquesting state in a sci-fi novel called Zion – even though informed readers will likely be so distracted by the name and wonder incessantly about your motives – or you could play with it in the narrative and pander to expectations of swarthy cabals of elderly zealots who greedily consume everything. There is a small but rabid audience that devours faintly anti-Semitic works. Some of 'em even get written up in the Times. You ever hear of “The Passion?”
Yes, you will get a shitload of controversy and pissed off people who’ll attack you, your ideas, your characvters, your motives, your family history and won’t even have read your book. You will be called a racist and an anti-Semite and a traitor and a self-hating Jew an worse. Smelly packages will show up in your mail. Don’t open those.
But hey, that much free publicity will only help potential book sales – assuming of course, there’s a publisher interested in touching it. You know how many copies of the “Satanic Verses” Rushdie sold? Man, I wish someone would put a fatwah out on me. I like travelling under assumed names.
Another upside: you will in all likelihood get your publication reviewed by such presitgious internet purveyors of tolerance like www.Stormfront.com.
At least you can claim as a defense, “Hey, what’s the dilly? I’m one-quarter Jewish.”
I agree with your decision to change the name. Regarding Zebulon, it’s the name of a rather mundane small town here in North Carolina. For me, that would take me out of the story, since I really can’t picture them uniting the world. And North Carolina is on its way to being the 7th most populous state…
I also vote against Sion. The last thing you want to be seen as is a DaVinci Code ripoff, I hope.
An educated person (& science fiction is for educated people) should understand that “Zion” is a word representing a “Promised Land” for various factions in the Judeo-Christian tradition. It doesn’t belong only to the Zionists, nor the fictitious “Elders of Zion,” nor the Mormons, nor Xtian fundies. It’s the sort of thing that a utopian government might name itself.
. But I understand what you guys are talking about. Thank you for all your responses. I’m changing the name (to what, I don’t know, but I’m definitely not keeping it Zion anymore!)