Death of the public figure, and our problematic histories

How do you separate the work of an artist from the artist itself or, as it’s become increasingly evident in the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement, how do you separate the problematic viewpoints of a historical figure from the general sentiments of the time itself? (i.e. Can and should we give leeway to those who held majority views that we now find problematic or do we hold them up to our more “enlightened” modern sensibilities?)

In any work, be it creative, political, or otherwise, a creator’s beliefs will always be espoused—even if its under the surface. It’s our job to recognize those instances and separate ourselves from it.

If the creator is still alive, we cannot give them the influence—both socially and economically—to broadcast their misguided values. So even if they have created a highly influential work that has been an integral part of our growth, we need to cancel that shit. Like yesterday. Yes, it will be painful. Yes, it can feel like a rejection of something you love. But, if their values contradict something that is important to you, you cannot stand by and passively support it. All silence is compliance.

Further, in almost all cases, these people sincerely believe that they are doing the right thing, and there is very little a single internet voice, shouted through the oceans of noise, will do to make a difference. However, if the creator is not alive, the distinction becomes less clear. The creator no longer has a modern sphere of influence they can use to (mis)inform their supporters. But what they have created, even posthumously, holds weight.

So, do we denounce all the founding fathers who held slaves because we know slavery is wrong? Or do we put into historical context the fact that the founding fathers were operating under a different set of societal rules where the majority of Americans at the time believed slavery to be essential? And how much does historical context matter when there were thought leaders at the time who believed in abolition?

Perhaps the best way is to analyze how these beliefs informed the works of creators. We need to read intent and separate it from outdated beliefs and systems of oppression that work against the marginalized. We need to see how these works uphold those systems and beliefs and change them.

Do we need to stop celebrating these works or the creators themselves? I’m not sure yet.

Perhaps we can celebrate the ways they have changed our society for the better, while actively acknowledging their troubling beliefs. It’s important that we don’t airbrush our history, whether that means our wins or our losses. We must acknowledge both so we can continue to move forward to make this country an actual representation of the ideals it was built on: liberty and justice for all.