Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that many famous men have been brought down by allegations of sexual harassment from multiple women.
I'm not trying to debate whether or not every accusation is true...although a lot of them have been verified if not denied by some of these celebrities.
My question to you is: can you separate the "art" from the persons actions?
This thought came to me when I saw a segment between Stephen Colbert and Jerry Seinfeld. They were discussing how Bill Cosby was such a big influence on them and Jerry originally said he could separate the comedy from the true person until Stephen Colbert changed his mind.
House of Cards was one of my favorite shows, but after hearing the allegations and lack of denial from Kevin Spacey, I felt a little bit sick to my stomach. How much of it was really acting vs. who he truly is? It was so disturbing to me that I can't watch the show anymore.
My favorite band is Brand New, recently the lead singer faced and apologized (while beating around the bush about the actual incidents.) This band got me through so many things. I feel a little bit differently about it because he didn't write ALL the lyrics and is just a part of this band. However a couple things came to mind as soon as I read his statement...the lyrics from one song specifically...
My tongue will taste of gin and malicious intent
Bring you back to the bar get you out of the cold
My sober straight face gets you out of your clothes.
And they're scared that we know all the crimes they'll commit
Who they'll kiss before they get home.
I will lie awaken and lie for fun
And fake the way I hold you
Let you fall for every empty word I say.
Barely conscious in the door where you stand.
Your eyes are fighting sleep while your mouth makes your demands
You laugh at every word trying too hard to be cute
I almost feel sorry for what I'm gonna do
And your hair smells of smoke
Who will cast the first stone?
You can sin or spend the night all alone.
So where do we draw the line, how to we let go of things that we've loved even if we despise the person who created them. Is the art separate from the person, or is it impossible to separate the two?