I really appreciate this post and the thoughtful reasoning behind your recommendation. However, I believe Jessa Hastings is pro-life, which means she opposes women having full autonomy over their own bodies. Knowing that, I find it difficult to bring myself to read a book by her. It’s important for me to support authors whose values align with respecting women’s rights and choices.
I understand the impulse to separate the art from the artist, especially when the work resonates deeply or offers something meaningful. But I think that gets a lot more complicated when the artist is still alive and actively benefiting from our attention, money, and praise.
When we choose to engage with and support a living artist, we're not just consuming a piece of art in a vacuum — we're participating in a system that validates and often amplifies that person's platform and beliefs. If an author publicly holds harmful views (like being anti-abortion, which undermines bodily autonomy and reproductive rights), continuing to support their work sends a message that those views don't matter enough to affect their success.
Art doesn't exist in a bubble. It’s shaped by the values, experiences, and ideologies of the person who creates it — and often, it subtly (or overtly) reflects those views. So, when we say “separate the art from the artist,” we're often asking marginalized people to overlook harm in the name of aesthetics, and that’s a privilege not everyone has.
Of course, people can make different choices about what they read or watch. But I personally think it’s worth asking: who are we empowering when we choose to ignore the artist behind the art? And who are we asking to stay silent in order to enjoy it?
I really appreciate this post and the thoughtful reasoning behind your recommendation. However, I believe Jessa Hastings is pro-life, which means she opposes women having full autonomy over their own bodies. Knowing that, I find it difficult to bring myself to read a book by her. It’s important for me to support authors whose values align with respecting women’s rights and choices.
but i respect ur choices!!
no way??? I did not know this but also i do believe we should separate the art from the artists!!
I understand the impulse to separate the art from the artist, especially when the work resonates deeply or offers something meaningful. But I think that gets a lot more complicated when the artist is still alive and actively benefiting from our attention, money, and praise.
When we choose to engage with and support a living artist, we're not just consuming a piece of art in a vacuum — we're participating in a system that validates and often amplifies that person's platform and beliefs. If an author publicly holds harmful views (like being anti-abortion, which undermines bodily autonomy and reproductive rights), continuing to support their work sends a message that those views don't matter enough to affect their success.
Art doesn't exist in a bubble. It’s shaped by the values, experiences, and ideologies of the person who creates it — and often, it subtly (or overtly) reflects those views. So, when we say “separate the art from the artist,” we're often asking marginalized people to overlook harm in the name of aesthetics, and that’s a privilege not everyone has.
Of course, people can make different choices about what they read or watch. But I personally think it’s worth asking: who are we empowering when we choose to ignore the artist behind the art? And who are we asking to stay silent in order to enjoy it?
Why do you believe she is pro-life?
https://www.threads.com/@readby.haley/post/DHbQQKYJ0Q-?xmt=AQF0_0YDKnt1cuuO6O4fbyiG0mJfpFWDKIIt1TxCJBskMw
https://x.com/bookswiithblu/status/1616458186789195784