brownreasontolive wrote: Thu Aug 19, 2021 2:32 pm
tonyballzee wrote:
I apologize, my wording was over exaggerated. If I discovered any band were actual Nazi child molesters their records would certainly go in the trash. But I was also referring to a group that broke up over 30 years ago whose albums I already own and would probably never listen to again.
Sorry, I totally wasn't using your wording to pick on what you were saying. I just took your example and ran with it.
I also probably had steam coming out the ears from reading the groupie thread - maybe should have checked my tone.
tonyballzee wrote:
But I can't ignore that they're part of who I am. And what does that say about me?
I think that you can't ignore it says something positive about you.
You are self aware enough to admit that art made by shit people is part of your world or your education or life experience.
As a result of confronting that:
tonyballzee wrote:
Would I defend their behavior? Absolutely not, doesn't matter who they are.
Would I have any respect left for them as humans? Nope.
Would I spend more money on anything bearing their name? No way.
I think this is a really important conversation, and it's too often reframed as a conversation about "free speech" or book burning/throwing art in the trash, or something. What is important is that we take a hard look at how this shit has shaped us.
You're absolutely right that great art is often made by deeply flawed people, and once in a lifetime you may see those folks hold themselves accountable.
But otherwise I think that we have to pick up the slack and take some level responsibility to discuss these people, their art, and the effect it has on the health of our communities. Not cancelling, but meaningful discourse on how it shapes our thinking and our behaviour.