I read a really interesting article earlier about whether authors should express political viewpoints on Twitter.
I’m probably not the best person to answer because so far, I haven’t seen any authors expressing viewpoints I don’t agree with. :)
But I will say that in the wake of the whole Chick-Fil-A thing recently, it’s been so wonderful (really, unexpectedly so) to see authors whose books I love expressing support for me (both in general and specifically to me). (Team Equality over Team Fried Chicken, especially nice because there were a slew of people on my Facebook feed who were definitely NOT Team Equality.*)
Most of the authors I love have a decidedly liberal bent and the others, I don’t know their political stances. I don’t know if I could deliberately read a book written by someone I knew was anti-gay. (Not even necessarily Team Fried Chicken, but vehemently anti-gay.)
I don’t want to spend my money supporting someone (or something) that wouldn’t support me back.
Especially not when there are these amazing, wonderful books written by people like Eileen Cook and Tessa Gratton and Mia March and Sarah Ockler and a bunch more that I’m forgetting because I am feeble. And these are authors that I loved before. It’s not like I’m just jumping on the bandwagon because they aren’t hatemongers. Nope. They’re fantastic authors who just happen to be fantastic people, as well.
I’m glad I know that.
* = Most true Tweet ever: Twitter makes you love people; Facebook makes you hate them.
There’s a real conversation to be had about separating the art from the artist. Art is different, I think, than commerce — and ought to be able to be appreciated for what it is — regardless of who produces it.
“Melancholia” was one of the best films I saw last year, and it doesn’t matter that Lars von Trier is a giant ass. By all accounts, Beethoven was a raving douche, but that doesn’t keep us from enjoying his compositions.
I feel a post coming on.
Yes but I think art also reflects the artist. You know? I love Rosemary’s Baby but it’s hard to watch knowing about Roman Polanski.
Hmm, I agree with both of you here. I think art should be able to be appreciated without regard for the artist’s beliefs, but I have a hard time enjoying art created by someone who has views I find reprehensible. I think I may have to explore this topic in a blog post as well.
I’ve also had this thought about music. While you can argue that there’s a little more disconnect in modern music than in Beethoven’s day, since many singers don’t write their own songs, still the songs they choose reflects them in some way. Not uncommonly I hear songs on the radio by singers that from what I can tell are disgusting people, and find myself singing along. It makes me hate myself a little bit sometimes.