#I am no kind of arbiter deciding where a constantly moving line lies

[fingersfallingupwards]

I had a few questions. 1) For how long have you been a member of The Beatles fandom? 2) When you see posts that in a way try to "expose" the members of the band for doing anything remotely unacceptable or getting "cancelled" how do you react? I recently told my friend that I really like John and she said, "You like the druggie?" This might seem like a weird ask but I'm generally curious as to what others feel when people say stuff like this. Thank You.

I got involved in the fandom around 2013 I think. And then I took a really long break from it because of... actually the topic material which you are addressing at this moment. I was a teenager and I invested some kind of purity or trust inside of the Beatles and it broke my heart when I learned that not only were they human, they were more flawed than most perhaps. (Although maybe it's only because there are a million cameras and a million books and a million stories outlining each and every one of their flaws.) The sexism / misogyny/wife beating / drug taking / just being dudes from another time and a more conservative location etc. was a lot to have in focus for someone who was looking for heroes. But they weren't heroes and I don't think they ever really wanted to be. My personal stance is that there is no heroes to be found (certainly not here), only people.

I came back to the fandom in a different head space. I tried to see them as people, and to accept them for what they were. Although, because I accept them for what they were that doesn't mean I excuse any of the extreme mistakes/flaws that all of them have. I just understand that flaws, mistakes, and repetitive self-destruction and outward violence are part of human narratives. So I think there is something wrong with cancel culture. I think there is something wrong with the idea that you can cross apply fictional fandom character purity to people in real life who lived in problematic times (and without access to things like well-researched therapy/mental health ANYTHING), with problematic ideas that don't hold up to today's scrutiny.

I'll be the first one to say that I (in a very interested and respectful way) hate all of the Beatles but that doesn't mean I don't think that they are worthwhile. John Lennon was a problematic person by our accounts, but it is partially because of his imperfection and vulnerability that so many people feel drawn to him. Because we see something of ourselves in that and in his songs. He's done bad things, he's felt bad about them, and then he's repeated his mistakes-- I can't think of anything more relatable/human. And he's hurt people, really hurt people in the process. But whenever I see a post that is like "John Lennon is a really really bad man" I sort of just nod. And when I see a post that's like "John Lennon is the most amazing man and so inspiring" I just kinda nod. Both of these things are true. I also don't think it's my job to defend John Lennon or anyone who likes him or is fascinated by him and the rest of the Beatles (like myself). there are more than one reasons to like or respect someone besides them being pure. And the more you know about someone and their flaws, I think the more you can understand them for them.

But what I'm really trying to say, is that people are complicated. I don't think it's right to turn away from the truth of facts, but I think the idea that someone's value goes out the window with their mistakes is wrong. And I think if you find value in John Lennon, then you find value in John Lennon.You don't have to remedy that with anyone else but yourself. And sometimes it really is that simple.

Please accept these very scattered thoughts, I hope this in some way answers your question, although I'm sorry it got so personal, just been thinking about it a lot😂 💕❣️