With the current social climate, coupled with allegations and admissions alike running rampant throughout Hollywood, a question arises for those of us on the outside looking in, a question of morality: is it possible to separate the art from the artist? Does it make me a bad person to not want to give up my beloved movies and the problematic actors who star in them? And what are the implications of my personal choice?
The ongoing debate and its subsequent conclusion start with a matter of personal choice. However, with personal choice comes implications and opinions to boot. Is it feasibly possible to separate the art from the artist?
For argument’s sake, sure.
But why would you want to? Yeah, I’m sure House of Cards is a fine show, but is it worth putting money into the pocket of a man who sexually assaulted a 14-year-old boy?
The idea of morality has changed much over the past decade or two. It used to be that being a good person was simply a matter of not being racist, or maybe just not sexually assaulting those around you. However, with changing opinions and a shift in culture, it takes more than the bare minimum to be a good person now. The concept of being a good person has gone from passive complacency to actively challenging the status quo and the institutions that surround you.
Granted, one can still conceivably be a good person without explicitly challenging these institutions. But ask yourself: How much good are you truly doing in that case? Part of being an ally and doing good now also includes boycotting bad people when new information and allegations surface about them. Meaning that your personal choice, isn’t so personal anymore.
With callout culture so prevalent in today’s society, everyone is at risk for being challenged for the choices they make; not simply because of the inherent choice, but because of what that choice says about you. The motivation to support your favorite actor after they get into hot water may just be a knee-jerk reaction. “But I loved this movie when I was a kid,” “But Johnny Depp is my favorite,” etc. It all seems harmless. But sometimes what you don’t say is just as important as what you do.
Audiences’ choices to separate the art from the artist and even going a step further to protect and defend these artists shows that people are okay with abuse and assault, so long as that person is famous, or providing them with something that benefits them (i.e. comedy, movies, etc.). This form of complacency is excusing the assault accusations and brushing them under the rug.
Not only that, but the continued support of these artists just shows that they can get off scot-free with little to no damage to their careers.
This continued support of problematic entertainers is what allows them to continue to get hired. The people that shovel money into these big budget movies with these big budget stars don’t care about allegations and assault; they care about money. So as long as their beloved Hollywood starlet is still making them money, they’re going to keep getting hired for movies and shows.
And thus, the only way to truly take a stance and show that you are against the patterns of persistent abuse and assault in Hollywood is to quite literally put your money where your mouth is and stop giving money to bad people for the sake of entertainment. Trust me, I loved Louis CK as much as the next person, but as soon as the allegations dropped, I dropped him.
Sexual abuse in Hollywood is rampant, persistent, and historical. It has been going on for many years because victims were too afraid to come forward for fear of losing their job or the wrath they may face from the person they are accusing. Harassment is not in the job description and it shouldn’t be treated like it is. I call on you to help end Hollywood’s pervasive assault on women.
I challenge you to believe women. I challenge you to not separate the art from the artist. I challenge you to stop supporting abusers and pedophiles.
And I’ll even challenge you to take it a step further: do research into who and what you invest your money in and support those in Hollywood who are working to make it a more safe and inclusive space for those around them.
Because the bottom line is money talks; show Hollywood your morals can’t be bought by another subpar Johnny Depp movie. Take a stand.