The Kind-Hearted Smart Aleck

Interesting story. Yesterday, I stumbled upon a recent Upworthy article, which shared actor Wil Wheaton's response to a question about whether we can separate artists from their art. As long-time readers should know, I've consistently spoken in favor of separating artists from their art. If a work of art positively affects a person, why should said person feel shame if the artist is a criminal or just simply an a$$hole? Given this, I was pleasantly surprised to hear Wheaton's take.  He said: "I have been precisely where you are, right now. In fact, we were just talking about this a few days ago, as it relates to a guy who wrote a ton of music that was PROFOUND to me when I was a teenager. He wrote about being lonely and feeling unloved, and all the things I was feeling as a teenager. He grew up to be a reprehensible bigot, and for years I couldn't listen to one of the most important bands in my life anymore. But this week, someone pointed out that he was one membe...

Following the backlash he received on social media, I made it a point to watch comedian Dave Chappelle's stand-up specials on Netflix and form my own conclusion. Well, I can now say I've watched all five specials, and am ready to share my thoughts. The only way we can truly learn from one another is by listening. I don't mean just giving another person the time to speak; hearing the volume of their voice; and preparing ourselves for a memorized response. No, I mean actually listening, and if called upon, responding to what was said. This dialogue can't be one-sided, however. It's much more effective for two people to actively listen to one another and engage in a conversation than it is for one to essentially scold the other. So, while I'll be the first to say Mr. Chappelle and others like him need to listen to their LGBT brothers and sisters, their LGBT brothers and sisters also need to listen to them. It's quite something. I'm a self-described progress...