LOS ANGELES, CA — Award-winning poet and writer John Mateer has issued a scathing and emotional warning to his followers and the broader literary community after revealing that he has been the target of deeply disturbing and threatening messages online, including repeated “Go die” messages sent to his personal accounts. The Australian-South African author, best known for his introspective poetry and cross-cultural explorations, made the statement during a recent literary festival appearance and later expanded on the matter via a detailed social media post that has since gone viral.
This incident marks a troubling intersection of the toxic undercurrents of internet culture and the vulnerable realm of literary expression — one that Mateer argues must be addressed head-on before it erodes the integrity of the creative world.
A Disturbing Revelation
Mateer, who has long maintained a quiet, thoughtful presence in the literary landscape, shocked fans when he opened his appearance at the Melbourne Writers Festival on Thursday night not with a poem, but with a stark admission:
“I never thought I’d have to say this,” he began, “but receiving messages that say ‘go die,’ along with other threats, changes the way you see the world. It changes the way you write. It changes the way you breathe.”
The audience, initially confused, soon grew somber as Mateer explained that over the past six months, he had been subjected to an escalating stream of vitriol from online trolls, much of it targeting his ethnicity, intellectualism, and outspoken positions on global injustice.
Mateer did not name specific individuals, but he did provide examples of the messages he’s received, including one particularly harrowing note that read:
“Nobody cares about your African guilt-trip poems. Just go die already.”
Context and Causes: The Growing Backlash Against Truth in Art
While it remains unclear what triggered the surge in abuse, literary analysts have pointed to several of Mateer’s recent essays and performances that tackled uncomfortable truths — including critiques of settler colonialism in Australia, global apathy toward Palestinian suffering, and the systemic silencing of non-Western narratives in major publishing circles.
In a post to X (formerly Twitter), Mateer wrote:
“I have always believed that the role of the writer is to provoke, to reflect, and to reveal. But when that reflection angers the world, you become a target. I’ve received hate before, but this is different. This is organized. This is malicious. This is designed to silence me — and others like me.”
Many believe the hate campaign is a reaction to Mateer’s sharp essay The Geography of Complicity, which was published in The Guardian last December and critiqued Western liberalism’s failure to take responsibility for its role in modern conflict zones.
A Strong Warning to Fans and the Literary Community
In the wake of this abuse, Mateer issued a powerful warning during his festival address:
“To my readers — if you support my work, then know this: I will not be silenced. But you must also understand that this is a moment of reckoning for all of us. You cannot claim to love art and ignore the abuse artists receive. Silence is complicity. If we do not stand up to this culture of hatred now, it will devour every voice that dares to be honest.”
He added pointedly:
“I urge everyone — fans, critics, fellow writers — to think about what kind of world you want to create. Because if you continue to look away, you may find one day that your favorite writers have stopped writing. Not because they lack ideas, but because they fear for their lives.”
The Response: Outpouring of Support, But Also Backlash
The literary world has responded with a mixed bag of support and skepticism. Prominent authors including Zadie Smith, Ben Okri, and Alexis Wright have voiced solidarity with Mateer, emphasizing that online harassment against writers of color is a growing issue that must be urgently addressed.
“John’s courage is admirable, and his pain is real,” Okri wrote on Instagram. “This is not just about one man. This is about a system that punishes truth-tellers and rewards apathy.”
The Australian Society of Authors (ASA) also issued a formal statement condemning the threats against Mateer and calling for greater protections for writers, especially those from marginalized communities. ASA president Claire G. Coleman noted:
“We cannot claim to be a nation that values the arts while allowing artists to be threatened for simply doing their jobs.”
However, not all responses have been supportive. Certain right-leaning pundits and cultural commentators accused Mateer of “playing the victim” and “demonizing free speech.” A now-deleted op-ed in a conservative Australian blog argued that “Mateer’s rhetoric invites radical backlash by branding all criticism as violence.”
The Broader Trend: A Dangerous Climate for Artists
Unfortunately, Mateer’s experience is not isolated. Recent years have seen an alarming rise in online abuse targeting poets, authors, and journalists — especially those who challenge dominant narratives or speak from non-Western perspectives. According to a 2024 PEN International report, nearly 67% of writers surveyed reported receiving threats online, with women and people of color disproportionately affected.
Digital platforms have been criticized for their sluggish response to hate speech, and Mateer’s case has reignited calls for reform. Speaking to ABC News, cyberbullying expert Dr. Kerri Flanagan said:
“The problem isn’t just the messages themselves, but the lack of accountability. Threats like ‘go die’ are not just emotional abuse — they’re potential triggers for severe psychological harm, and they often go unpunished.”
What’s Next for Mateer?
Despite the emotional toll, Mateer has vowed to continue writing — though he admitted it will not be easy.
“Every time I open my email now, I brace myself,” he said. “But I will not give them the satisfaction of silence. My next collection will be louder, more unapologetic, and more dangerous than ever.”
Mateer has reportedly begun work on a new volume of poems tentatively titled Silenced Tongues, which he says will directly confront the experience of being an artist under siege.
“If they wanted to scare me, they’ve succeeded — but not in the way they hoped,” he said. “They’ve made me realize just how vital our voices are.”
A Call to Action
The controversy surrounding John Mateer’s warning should not be dismissed as just another social media flare-up. It is symptomatic of a wider cultural malaise — one where artists are expected to soothe rather than challenge, and where honest expression is met with hatred rather than dialogue.
As Mateer’s words echo across the literary world, the question remains: will the community rise to meet this challenge, or will it retreat into comfortable silence?
One thing is clear — John Mateer will not retreat.
“I’ve walked through warzones in my travels,” he said during his closing remarks. “But nothing prepares you for the battlefield that is the modern internet. And yet, I’m still here. Still writing. Still breathing. That, I think, is the ultimate resistance.”
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