I don’t respect Woody Allen. I don’t respect Harvey Weinstein. I don’t respect Kevin Spacey, Louis C.K. or Bill Cosby. I don’t respect sexual predators and I believe their work should receive the same treatment. In the aftermath of #MeToo, we have come to realize that most of our beloved entertainers, the ones that bring smiles to our faces, bring considerable pain to others. As more women are coming forward with their stories, the issue around legendary artists with problematic pasts, and even presents, are emerging as a central debate in the entertainment industry. More importantly, the question of whether engaging with their art is condoning their actions demands to be grappled with.

Punishing the artist is a given. Boycotting the art, however, requires more contemplation. Should art and artist be separated? With such an inundation of access into artists’ personal lives, the connotation of their actions should inevitably affect our personal perceptions of their artwork. The consequences of this inevitable change in the perception of the artist's work and its success may often go beyond the artist alone.

As the true nature of artists such as Kevin Spacey come to light, it becomes a struggle to separate art from the artist. That is part of the consequences of their actions. Art cannot be considered beyond the scope of punishment because this creates a society where it is acceptable to make reprehensible choices and still be rewarded. Associating art with its creator is imperative to creating a culture where people are culpable for their actions. The continued success of such figures sends a subconscious message to others who have committed sexual misconduct that not only can they get away with it, they can even thrive off of it.

How do we grapple with problematic art specifically when the perpetrators are still alive and profiting from their work?

It is time to snap out of our privileged bubble and realize that real people’s pain is at stake here. It is easy to neglect the issue when we haven’t experienced it. The trauma endured by victims of sexual harassment and assault supersedes our need for entertainment. Empathy is, or should be, the defining characteristic of humanity. Our own enjoyment means nothing against silenced victims that have to watch their assailants prosper. It is a distressingly trivial thought to worry about your favorite TV show or movie. Granting exceptions based on the quality of the work or the fact that an artists unpleasant actions do not bleed into their work are weak excuses. Human suffering is not collateral damage for good art.

The loss of talent should not be mourned. Sexual harassers have lost their privilege to be mourned or glorified and must not be allowed to profit off of further media attention. To mourn the drain of talent in the arts and entertainment industry is repulsive, as it is to support the people who have abused their power for so many years and are just now facing punishment. The loss of their talent is not the end of the world. There are plenty of capable people who have not had their chance yet. In fact, the extinction of repressive figures would give women the chance to gain greater prominence in the industry.

This whole debate urges a reassessment of our priorities. Ensuring the entertainment industry is a safe space for all should always be above preserving works of art. Art can only be created in an environment of trust. The recent rise of the #MeToo movement is a chance to flush out all the predators from the industry and open the doors to all those stifled by the abuse of power within the ranks of highly influential men. Historically, becoming successful in this exploitative industry required women to be in vulnerable positions. This power dynamic, in which women are completely dependent on their male counterparts makes the abuse particularly traumatic. This rampant abuse of power has been swept under the rug for long enough and that is exactly why it is time to boycott the abusers’ art. Change doesn’t happen overnight. Only when studios and production companies stop affiliating with sexual predators will the industry be free of sexual misconduct.

The #MeToo and the #TimesUp movements are unified calls to lead the industry into accountability. The power dynamics that made the environment ripe for abuse will eventually decline, even if it means the art might suffer. In the grand scheme of things, art itself will be better off not attached to those who cause pain to others. Consumers can’t absolve themselves from the duty to consume ethically. It is our responsibility to stop buying what they’re selling.