New Zealand Retailer Responds to Christchurch Shooting…by Refusing to Sell Jordan Peterson Book

“As a business which takes our responsibilities to our communities very seriously, we believe it would be wrong to support the author at this time.”

Following a mass shooting at two Christchurch mosques last week, a major New Zealand book retailer has stopped selling copies of Canadian public intellectual Jordan Peterson’s “12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos,” a New Zealand news outlet reported Wednesday.

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“Unfortunately 12 Rules for Life is currently unavailable, which is a decision that Whitcoulls has made in light of some extremely disturbing material being circulated prior, during and after the Christchurch attacks,” Whitcoulls, a national bookstore, told New Zealand publication Newshub, in an email.

“As a business which takes our responsibilities to our communities very seriously, we believe it would be wrong to support the author at this time. Apologies that we’re not able to sell it to you, but we appreciate your understanding,” the company added.

Last week, a photograph of Peterson posing with a man wearing a “I’m a Proud Islamaphobe” t-shirt resurfaced on social media.

This is @jordanbpeterson and a fan during his speaking tour in New Zealand.

February 19th, 2019. Less than one month ago. pic.twitter.com/kQzhY39eSl

— Dan Taipua (@D__T_____) March 15, 2019

Newshub noted that “12 Rules for Life” contains no references to the word “Islam” and that it’s single reference to the word “Muslim” is not negative.

A civilization can not function this way. pic.twitter.com/BqhHX6eTB8

— Bret Weinstein (@BretWeinstein) March 21, 2019

Peterson’s mid-February visit to the island nation sparked controversy. At that time, an activist group claimed his “sexist, queerphobic, [and] racist” views threatened “everything of value in our society.”

Peterson’s ascendant public profile and fiery debates with adherents of progressivism has led to his status as an ideological lightning rod. For some, Peterson is a reactionary threat to societal progress, and a symbol of everything wrong with the patriarchy. Others herald the University of Toronto professor as a sorely needed dissident voice in the culture.

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