Oprah Poses An Interesting Question (...just not on her show...or on purpose)

This afternoon, Oprah's website removed a children's book recommendation because the author was a racist. A really big racist. The Education of Little Tree, first published in 1976, is the work of Ku Klux Klansman and George Wallace-speech writer, Forrest Carter (he's the guy that originally came up with Wallace's infamous vow: "Segregation today! Segregation tomorrow! Segregation forever!"). Oprah's decision to remove Little Tree from her "picks" raises an interesting moral dilemma. If the book itself is not spewing hateful, hurtful bile -- and is in fact a moving tale with a loving depiction of Native Americans -- is it wrong for readers (and booksellers) to try and separate the art from the artist?

What do you folks think? Have you ever loved the work of someone you found personally reprehensible?

Link: Fox News (Who, coincidentally, I find to be morally reprehensible!)

For more on the book, its author and their strange back story, visit NativeWeb.org