The Society of Tolkien is taking on the Tolkien Society with an alternative event to the “diversity and inclusion” seminar planned for next month.
The Tolkien Society, a society of dedicated fans of the Lord of the Rings franchise and the works of J.R.R. Tolkien has a new competitor, The Society of Tolkien after they announced an ultra woke diversity seminar on July 3rd.
The seminar of "diversity and inclusion" is scheduled to have lectures like, "Transgender Realities in The Lord of the Rings," "The Queer in Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings," "Tolkien’s Dwarf-Women and the 'Feminine Lack,'" and "Destabilizing Cishetero Amatonormativity in the Works of Tolkien."
Many in the society felt alienated by the new push to impose the woke and social justice agendas and decided to push back by scheduling an alternative event on the same day. The alternative event focuses on a scholarly approach to Tolkien's work. The schedule includes events such as "Solving Gollum’s Riddles: An Ode to Tolkien and Old English," "Mapping Middle-earth," and "Tolkien is Timeless, Tinseltown is Trite," according to the Daily Wire.
The new Society of Tolkien said it will not accept lectures on "concepts not included in Tolkien’s writing." Keith Casey, the founder of the Society of Tolkien, describes himself as a software developer, entrepreneur, startup founder, parent, and a voracious reader of all things and confirmed to the Daily Wire that he started the event to push back against the "nonsense" of the Tolkien Society.
"For an organization 'devoted to the study and promotion of the life and works of the author and academic J.R.R. Tolkien' – I question how their own bizarre viewpoint, which reads like fan fiction, took center stage," Casey told the conservative news website. "Tolkien’s works are wonderful and should be cherished and understood as he wrote them instead of twisted to fit current social fads."
Casey admits he’s not an academic but says it shouldn't stop him from protecting something he loves. "[I] can appreciate a great story with strong characters and key lessons," he said. Casey says Tolkien, who was a devout catholic, offers many lessons for people that stay within the scope of his work. This includes three main lessons Casey said, "First, we always keep our word. Second, we always help our friends. Third, we always fight the orcs."
Libby’s Desk
Commentary and must-reads from Libby’s desk, straight to your inbox.
TPM Newsletter
The Post Millennial’s top stories, delivered to your inbox.
