'Notebook' Author Sued for Homophobia and Racism

Nicholas Sparks, author of bestsellers such as The Notebook and A Walk to Remember, is being sued for homophobia and racism.

Saul Hillen Benjamin, a former headmaster of the Epiphany School of Global Studies, a New Bern, North Carolina private school co-founded by Sparks and funded by The Nicholas Sparks Foundation, accused Sparks of discouraging the enrollment and recruitment of black students and actively supported the bullying of gay students.

Benjamin also claims that Sparks forced him to defend his Jewish faith "in front of the entire school" and tried to discredit him by spreading rumors that he was afflicted with Alzheimer's Disease.

Benjamin's complaint uses pretty vivid language; he said Sparks supported a "homo-caust" against LGBT students and summarizes his views as a "veritable cauldron of bigotry towards individuals who are not traditionally Christian, and especially those who are non-white."

In response, Sparks' publicist released a statement from his entertainment lawyer, Scott Schwimer:

"As a gay, Jewish man who has represented Nick for almost 20 years I find these allegations completely ludicrous and offensive."??

The Epiphany School for Global Studies' website implies that the school - despite being Christian - welcomes students and faculty of "all faiths" and "no particular faith" with an "open spirit." Here's their partial mission statement:??

Our History is rooted in the pioneering ideals of our founders Nicholas and Catherine Sparks, who envisioned a school with an extraordinary college-preparatory program and global focus, where the Judeo-Christian commitment to Love God and Your Neighbor as Yourself is an ethical commitment, significant Christian traditions are celebrated, for example, Lent, Advent and Epiphany.

Students and faculty of all faiths and indeed no particular faith are welcomed with an open spirit.

If nothing else, perhaps the lawsuit will detract from that amazingly pretentious USA Today interview Sparks gave in 2010.