Yesterday, author Jennifer Williams tweeted about her very recent experience working in a comic shop in Salem, MA, Harrison’s Comics. But she didn’t work there for very long. This is why.
Fyi, Harrison’s Comics and Collectibles in Salem MA has a “rape room”, dubbed such by the owner’s friend Julian who is acting as manager.
— Jennifer Williams (@JenWilliams13) September 2, 2014
Julian, who claims to be a lawyer in Salem, also came up to me and put his arm around me without my permission. — Jennifer Williams (@JenWilliams13) September 2, 2014
On Sunday I spoke to the owner about my concerns. I was off yesterday. Today I was fired. — Jennifer Williams (@JenWilliams13) September 2, 2014
Harrison’s Comics tweeted their response.
Those who have know us for years must realize that we do not condone this behavior.
— Harrison’s Comics (@HARRISONSCOMICS) September 3, 2014
I was not even aware that she had been let go but according to others it was just that they feel she wouldn’t work
— Harrison’s Comics (@HARRISONSCOMICS) September 3, 2014
I feel bad that she had to lash out this way. I have known her for many years and think of her as a friend. — Harrison’s Comics (@HARRISONSCOMICS) September 3, 2014
If anyone would like to hear my side of the story feel free to come talk to me in Salem today thru Saturday — Harrison’s Comics (@HARRISONSCOMICS) September 3, 2014
But if Harrison’s Comics were reticent, Williams had more to share. Here is a few select tweets, compiled with her permission.
@Starlightslk Everything happened in store. Going to be hard to prove but there were witnesses.
— Jennifer Williams (@JenWilliams13) September 3, 2014
Harrison’s just had the audacity to follow me on here. Owner claims he didn’t know I was fired. If this is true this needs to be rectified.
— Jennifer Williams (@JenWilliams13) September 3, 2014
Do the right thing, Larry. We need to talk. — Jennifer Williams (@JenWilliams13) September 3, 2014
I don’t have a way to contact you, Larry. I won’t go back in the store unless I know you are there. You need to contact me. — Jennifer Williams (@JenWilliams13) September 3, 2014
I am not going to tweet you directly but you need to think about what’s best for your business. — Jennifer Williams (@JenWilliams13) September 3, 2014
I have loved comic books since I was a child. I grew up on X-Men and Swamp Thing. This sort of thing really breaks my heart and spirit. — Jennifer Williams (@JenWilliams13) September 3, 2014
It has always been a dream of mine to work in comics as a writer. I’ve done a little indie stuff but this is so discouraging. — Jennifer Williams (@JenWilliams13) September 3, 2014
Found out a little more info about the guy who made the rape joke. How does one find out if he’s bar certified or whatever it is? — Jennifer Williams (@JenWilliams13) September 3, 2014
A friend that perpetuates rape culture and fires employees w/out consulting you or someone who cares about the store and being professional. — Jennifer Williams (@JenWilliams13) September 3, 2014
In the two days I was at the store I worked every shift/hour I was asked to including hours that were added on. I did every task asked of me — Jennifer Williams (@JenWilliams13) September 3, 2014
I showed initiative. Implemented recycling for the store. Worked on getting safe storage for employee personal belongings. — Jennifer Williams (@JenWilliams13) September 3, 2014
Hand sold and got new comic subscribers. Spoke with owner about helping w/ social media and events. — Jennifer Williams (@JenWilliams13) September 3, 2014
I was no slacker. I was passionate, inquisitive, and dedicated. Did whatever was asked of me. — Jennifer Williams (@JenWilliams13) September 3, 2014
He says he thinks of me as a friend. Is this how you treat friends? — Jennifer Williams (@JenWilliams13) September 3, 2014
And for anyone thinking I made this up b/c of being fired, I tweeted about this and wrote about it before getting fired. — Jennifer Williams (@JenWilliams13) September 3, 2014
I just felt like the getting fired part was also an important part of this narrative. — Jennifer Williams (@JenWilliams13) September 3, 2014
The comic shop appears to have unfollowed me now. Still have the follow notification though. They never replied to my tweets or commented. — Jennifer Williams (@JenWilliams13) September 3, 2014
@HARRISONSCOMICS Hey, Larry, instead of trying to backpedal out of my earshot how about you actually talk to me? — Jennifer Williams (@JenWilliams13) September 3, 2014
@HARRISONSCOMICS Your side of the story is that you knew about the rape room and when I came to you, you brushed it off. — Jennifer Williams (@JenWilliams13) September 3, 2014
@HARRISONSCOMICS You said you didn’t want to make waves and you were sure he was just joking. — Jennifer Williams (@JenWilliams13) September 3, 2014
Harrison’s is inviting people to go to the store and talk to him to hear his side of the story. Too bad he won’t talk to me. — Jennifer Williams (@JenWilliams13) September 3, 2014
His side of the story is that he knew it was called a rape room. He told me he didn’t want to make waves. Brushed it off. — Jennifer Williams (@JenWilliams13) September 3, 2014
The truth of the matter here is that I was praised for my work prior to my complaint and fired after my complaint. It’s easy math. — Jennifer Williams (@JenWilliams13) September 3, 2014
I would have talked to you. In fact, in light of you claiming you think of me as a friend, I was hoping too. — Jennifer Williams (@JenWilliams13) September 3, 2014
I would have talked to you. In fact, in light of you claiming you think of me as a friend, I was hoping too. — Jennifer Williams (@JenWilliams13) September 3, 2014
But it seems like you’re no longer interested. A real shame. — Jennifer Williams (@JenWilliams13) September 3, 2014
For what it’s worth, for anyone wondering why I didn’t contact Larry privately, it’s because I don’t have a way to. Don’t have his cell #. — Jennifer Williams (@JenWilliams13) September 3, 2014
That ball is totally in his court I had zero confidence in being able to find him at the store seeing as I was not even allowed in yesterday — Jennifer Williams (@JenWilliams13) September 3, 2014
@The_T113 It’s one of the back room used for storage. I have no idea why they call it a rape room. Didn’t dare ask. — Jennifer Williams (@JenWilliams13) September 3, 2014
@NathanialWCook THANK YOU. I told Larry I was a rape survivor. He still refused to address the issue. @HARRISONSCOMICS — Jennifer Williams (@JenWilliams13) September 3, 2014
It might also be worth mentioning on here that the owner told me he did not know how to use Twitter. Said he did not know the passwords. — Jennifer Williams (@JenWilliams13) September 3, 2014
So I’m guessing there’s a good chance it’s Julian making those tweets and not Larry. — Jennifer Williams (@JenWilliams13) September 3, 2014
Today is Wednesday. It’s comic book day. Should be a happy day. So sad that it’s not for me today.
— Jennifer Williams (@JenWilliams13) September 3, 2014
Don’t even know where I’ll get my comics now. I suppose some people might think that silly but comics are a huge part of my life.
— Jennifer Williams (@JenWilliams13) September 3, 2014
I’m going to take a brave and courageous stand here on Bleeding Cool, and say that, whatever is true or not, whatever can be proved or not, that, in general, comic stores should probably avoid describing the room at the back as a “rape room”. Whether to a rape survivor or not, whether to a woman or not, whether to themselves or not.
