Of all the photos I took during last weekend’s World Fantasy Convention, I’m proudest of this one, snapped of Sofia Samatar after she took the stage during Sunday’s banquet to accept the Best Novel Award for A Stranger in Olondria.

I was proud because the dramatically posed image came out so crisp and clear, even though I was sitting way in the back, in the last row of tables, and using a zoom with no flash, since one wouldn’t have worked at that distance anyway.

But more importantly, I’m proud of Sofia, because she used her time onstage to address the elephant in the room that is the H. P. Lovecraft trophy. (Here’s what she later had to say about the moment.) I was extremely upset there was no panel at the convention devoted to that topic, so after I saw the convention program, and noted the absence of one, I tweeted my disappointment.

When I learned via the official WFC Twitter feed that the programming committee had been instructed by the board not to have a panel, I was even more upset.

I hate for there to be elephants in the room. We need to have these difficult conversations. That the World Fantasy board decided we were incapable of having one was wrong.

I’m glad Gordon Van Gelder apologized to the attendees at the start of Sunday’s banquet for the mishandling of an informal poll on the subject, and shared that the board was listening but had yet to make any decision.

But something more needed to be said. And Sofia was the one who said it.

So kudos to Sofia!

I’m not the only one who felt this way about Sofia, because overnight, that photo I’d taken had turned into a meme. Such as in this image, created by Charles Tan from an idea by Lisa Bolekaja.

And this, also created by Charles Tan, this time based on an idea from Julia Rios.

And yet another, this one by Ambrose Persimmon, inspired by the opening lyrics of Iggy Azalea’s “Fancy.”

Are there any more out there? If so, let me know!

I was tickled that my photo spawned the meme-ification of Sofia Samatar. Because I endorse her message. So thanks, all.

The coming conversation won’t be an easy one. But let’s have it. Because we must.