Famous people—celebrities, activists, influential figures of all types—create controversy by their very nature. Whether it be strange attire at an awards ceremony, revealing family secrets in an interview, or using drugs, celebrities’ actions draw the spotlight. The hostility of the crowd does not compare to the cordial smiles of publicists waiting to get paid. Sometimes, though, controversy devolves into outright offense when a public figure shows their true colors. When those figures voice truly despicable opinions or take awful actions, the question arises: What happens next?
Most people can think of a public figure they know who has supported an idea that they don’t agree with. J.K. Rowling comes to mind, with her unsavory opinions regarding transgender people and retroactive anti-Semitism However, reading Harry Potter should not be conflated with subscribing to Rowling’s opinions about transgender people, and arguments to the contrary become disingenuous quickly, to the detriment of everyone involved. Apex Friendship even has its own Harry Potter Club. Does that club deserve to be dismissed over Rowling’s opinions?
Mohandas Gandhi, the “Forefather of Modern India,'' has been seen as a legendary figure. However, his views on race and sexuality have been completely scrubbed from history in order to preserve his image. According to NPR, “in 1903, when Gandhi resided in South Africa, he wrote that white people there should be ‘the predominating race.’ He also said black people ‘are troublesome, very dirty and live like animals.’” Vice News writes that, “the image of Gandhi has been constructed so carefully...that it's easy to forget that he predicated his rhetoric on anti-blackness, a vehement allergy to female sexuality, and a general unwillingness to help liberate the Dalit, or ‘untouchable,’ caste.” All of the evidence shows a truly flawed leader that history has lionized into a model human being. Should we forget about Gandhi’s contributions to Indian society? No. Should we forget about his flaws? Also no.
The good works of bad people can still have value. No one should argue to forgive Rowling or Gandhi, but tearing down all they have ever done means destroying the good with the bad.