My Favorite Author Probably Belongs in Jail: A Short Essay
I, like many, have been repeatedly devastated over and over by famous people over the years, both minor and major and I've come to a very big conclusion: we have to stop tying our morality to whether or not we enjoy things made by bad people.
Now let me be clear: I am not saying to stop being critical of said art, nor am I saying that if the fact that a person who made said art ruins it for you you should continue to partake in it but I am saying we have to stop treating liking art made by bad people as a moral failing.
Neil Gaiman has been involved with many of my favorite shows and books; I also think he should be in jail if the allegations are true (and with recent evidence I believe he should be). But that doesn't mean the art is worthless and the fact that I don't find it worthless after finding out he's abhorrent doesn't mean I support his actions or that I am a bad person.
Nor do I think you are a bad person if:
You listen to Lizzo despite abuse claims from people she's worked with
Enjoy Black Panther 1 or 2 despite Shuri's actress being anti vax/transphobic or Namor's actor being accused of SA
Liking Tim Burton films despite racist tendencies
Listening to The Beatles despite John Lennon being an abuser
Liking anything by Joss Whedon despite sexual misconduct and abuse of power
Liking Chris Pratt despite being in a very homophobic church
Listening to ANYTHING involving Dr. Luke
Reading Homestuck despite Andrew Hussie being a crappy boss and sending weird legal threats to a much smaller YouTuber
Watch/ listen to anything tied to anyone who supports Israel
And so many other artists who have done horrible things that I truly hope gets them honest to goodness ruined in their respective industries. ( I could list so many I stg...)
I would recommend that people not monetarily support these artists (bootleg all you can). But it's mentally taxing (and nearly impossible) to hold yourself to the standard of "this person is horrible. I must now hate everything I once loved involving them". Clearly you can and should feel free to simply toss away anything by anyone who has ruined their art for you. It's not as if I've never stopped liking something because someone involved has ruined their art beyond repair; but let it go because the art is ruined for you, not because the person behind it is. You aren't a better or worse person for it either way, please treat yourself kindly. I think it’s time we start directing more outrage towards the artists who perpetrate harm than the people who simply enjoy their stuff.