Today I learned that one of my favorite writers – Sherman Alexie – is accused by numerous women of abuse and harassment. This is the first time where I felt genuinely surprised. Maybe that means I have a dim view of mankind (word used purposefully in lieu of humankind), but it didn’t surprise me with the politicians, even Al Franken. I was disappointed, but it didn’t surprise me because he was a comedian through the 70s and 80s. Lots of stuff that seemed to be “acceptable” back then hasn’t aged well. It didn’t surprise me with anyone in Hollywood because so many people with that type of adoration and money seem to think that they are untouchable and that everyone wants them. Garrison Keillor didn’t surprise me, maybe because of the whisper network in Minnesota, or maybe because of all of the off-putting jokes he sometimes made about women or the way he wrote about them in every Guy Noir plot.

Sherman Alexie surprised me because he publicly appeared to be an ally. I suppose I also was surprised because Alexie was sort of my first real crush on a writer. I loved his stories and books, especially Reservation Blues. It was the first book I chose to teach, rather than books that were given to me in a pre-made curriculum. On our honeymoon to Washington, Dak and I took a detour so we could visit the reservation that he writes about. I love his writing.

So now what? I suppose I’m kind of late to the party on this, since I didn’t have much of a problem jettisoning the other artists. I turn the channel when R. Kelly or Chris Brown come on. I don’t watch too many movies anyway, but some artists I no longer care to see. Quentin Tarentino is just one example.

Can we separate the art from the artist? I haven’t had to face this question personally yet, so I haven’t thought about it as deeply as maybe I should. Where are the lines for separating the art from the artist? Is it ok to like “Imagine” even if I think John Lennon was not a very good guy? Is it ok to buy Alexie’s books? How about if I check them out of the library?

Is it ok to teach? I’ve already seen one teacher claim it isn’t. At what point do we draw this line, because a lot of accomplished artists and writers were and are pretty bad people, or have at least done some pretty terrible things. I am not a canon apologist, so I honestly am fine with not teaching the works of terrible people even if they are considered “great.” But if we take that stance with Alexie, does that mean we need to consider the personal lives of all the writers and artists in our curriculum? Maybe so?

Where do we draw the line? Can we separate the art from the artist? The story from the storyteller? If the answer is no, then how pure does the artist have to be?

Don’t read this as defending Alexie or any of the others. My default position is to believe women when they speak up. I’m posing the questions because I don’t know how to feel now about his work, even though I’m disgusted by the person. I’m sad and angry. Now what?