Adams has clarified something for me that I've long been uncertain about.

[LAS14]

That is, can we support/affirm art apart from the politics of the creator.

For me, the answer is now clear. If the artist is still reaping benefits from their art then it is my obligation to withhold support to a person who makes hateful public statements or actions.

If not (Picasso/women, Wagner/racism) then it's OK to judge the art on its own merits. Listening to Lohengrin does not constitute endorsing racism.

This has always been a conundrum for me. Thanks to Scott Adams for clarifying things.

What about the rest of you? What is your answer to this riddle?

[EYESORE 9001]

1. I can't support it

I’ve even avoided certain movies that have performances by actors whose politics or personal habits offend my sensibilities. If I’m being petty, so be it.

[agingdem]

6. I agree...

I cannot separate the artist from their art...the music, the novel, the picture, the product, the poem, the cartoon...all originated from the minds of bigots..and I don't give a damn if "it was from another time"...hate is hate...

[cos dem]

2. As one principle, I think it's a good start.

I think the art itself should also be generally not pushing outdated concepts. But, it's going to be a judgement call.

No-one is profiting from "Birth of a Nation". But, aside from a film historian recognizing it for it's advancement of the art of film-making, I can't imagine "enjoying" that movie.

Ivanhoe has some anti-semitic tropes, and I can overlook them, but maybe not everyone can.

[leftyladyfrommo]

3. I kind of do both. A lot of artists are very eccentric. Just

Because someone is a wonderful artist doesn't necessarily mean that they are wonderful philosophers or even capable of any kind of rational thought.

I take it case by case.

[TheCowsCameHome]

4. I liked his comic strip but not his personal views.

I'll miss the daily strip but not him.

[Xavier Breath]

5. It's interesting you mention Wagner

because he is probably my favorite classical composer. I enjoy his music immensely and guilt-free, just as I enjoy watching an old Woody Allen movie or Kevin Spacey's work from the past. The key is in providing no further financial support once the transgressions/crimes, proven or alleged, have come to light. I wouldn't pay to attend/rent/stream a new Woody or Spacey movie for example, but I will continue to enjoy their prior works that I own.

As to those performers who haven't been accused of wrong-doing but happen to hold different religious/political opinions from my own, then I ignore their opinions provided it doesn't influence the work. Patricia Heaton is a good example, as I really enjoyed her on both Everybody Loves Raymond and The Middle. I also loved the character of Frasier Crane on both Cheers and Frasier, despite Kelsey Grammer being a rightwing kook. Compartmentalization is essential in these examples.

[RockRaven]

7. There doesn't need to be a hard and fast rule or consistency, imo. If the artist's behavior has

tainted the experience of their art for you, that's fine. And if it hasn't, that's fine too. And if it sometimes does and sometimes doesn't, that is also fine.

But liking or disliking art/work-product is something I would separate from financially supporting a bad actor. If someone is actively harming others, continuing to give them money (directly or indirectly) just because one likes their art/work is not appropriate. People harming others should be shunned not enabled, even if that means we must forego some selfish pleasures.

[AZSkiffyGeek]

8. I'm torn...

Honestly it usually has to do with how much I liked the work before I found out the creator was problematic. Roger Waters, Van Morrison, even some Clapton I’ll still listen to. Hell, there are two Nugent songs I won’t turn off if I hear them.
But I won’t buy anything from them anymore.
I thought Dilbert was funny 25 years ago. I haven’t read it in ages and now I never will again.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

9. Dilbert creator, Scott Adams, has decided to release his racist feelings.

I have no problem with papers banning Dilbert

Link to tweet