The existence of a Spanish black legend is generally, but not universally, accepted by academics.[citation needed] Ricardo Garcia Carcel denied its existence in his 1991 book, The Black Legend: "It is neither a legend, insofar as the negative opinions of Spain have genuine historical foundations, nor is it black, as the tone was never consistent nor uniform. Gray abounds, but the color of these opinions was always viewed in contrast [to what] we have called the white legend."[36] Proponents of the theory include musicologist Judith Etzion[37] and writer William Styron.[38]