Read on Twitter
1)I read so many books, about so many people, growing up that I was used to seeing the racism of the authors, other famous people, politicians, and the like. I am surprised that people appear surprised. https://twitter.com/chicagotribune/status/1286305579812757506
2) In any event, I cultivated a sense of detachment about it. These people were dead, and no longer able to learn anything. The work they did, that I liked, remained. I'm not saying that's the right way to go. Everyone has to make their own decisions about this kind of thing.
3) I do wonder sometimes about our intense interest in the personal politics and opinions of artists and famous people. I've said on here before that any human instinct in that direction has been deepened by Hollywood, and the insistence that we identify with "stars".
4) It's not enough that we go to movies and watch actors, act. We have to know and care about their private lives, fantasize about the possibility that we could be their friends or lovers. We feel let down when we find out that their politics are anathema to us.
We're individuals, and we'll deal with revelations about admired people in our own way. The current moment interests me as a reader, particularly as a reader of biographies. I've been on this journey a long time. I've found my own way of dealing with dead people who disappoint.
