So, Your Favourite Childhood Author Turned Out To Be A Bigot...

So, your favourite childhood author turned out to be a bigot. Yes, it’s disappointing. For years growing up, you thought of her as royalty who could do no wrong. After all, she invented your favourite characters and plotlines that you obsessed over for years. You grew up with the characters who you wished with all of your heart were real. You went to book launches and movie premiers, and you dressed as one of the lead characters for Halloween. You have a plethora of memories as a result of this story, which, ultimately was invented by an author who is a bigot. 

​So, what do you do? 

Do you throw out all of the books? What about the adapted movies? Or the branded items of clothing you bought years before? Do you disassociate yourself from the franchise altogether? You can, absolutely, but what ultimately will that accomplish? Those books have already been bought, and the shirt has already been sold. The movies, too. At the time you purchased these items, you didn’t know any better. You didn’t know the author was a bigot. Well, you know now. You know not to purchase any other items in which this author will profit from. This includes books, games, t-shirts, etc. Voting begins at the cash register and choosing which brand you vote for begins with awareness. 

Is it still okay to still love the story? Of course. It’s absolutely okay to separate the artist from the artwork. Knowing what you know about the author now doesn’t change how special those books were for you as a child. Those memories are sacred, as well as the love you had, and still have for the characters. 

So, your favourite childhood author turned out to be a bigot. It’s a shame, but what you can do is show your support for all races/genders/sexualities by not supporting bigotry.