Thank you. 💯 agree it is so important to have the maturity to separate the creator from the creation wherever possible, and that last line is also an important caveat.

To speak on it, people still drive Fords and Volkswagons even though:

"Henry Ford was steadfastly committed to virulent racist and antisemitic views that he clung to for most of his life. He used his vast resources and influence in a sustained campaign to spread bigotry and conspiracy thinking throughout American society. Ford consistently refused to employ Jews in white-collar jobs within his companies, and he was a supporter of various antisemitic organizations, including the KKK."

and Volkswagon was Hitler's pet project.

There are so many other examples throuout history where the sands of time have washed away most of the negative associations between the creator and their creations.

Or, maybe we never knew the inner prejuces of many creators. Think of all the great art/music created by people who never went on record with their views.

However, we live in such an age of information and permanent record now--a cult of personality--that IMO it will only get harder and harder from here on out to separate the extremist views of say, Kanye from his music--his music is his view--or Elon from Tesla or X etc. because of social media, interviews, and mass reporting on a public permanent record.

And while I passionately believe in and fight daily for the right to free speech for everyone...

There is a definitely a point where the creator or namesake can take such a strong stand on matters of willful ignorance or outright bigotry and hate where the two become one in the eyes of the user/consumer.

Freedom of speech is not freedom from consequences. :)