So, I've been reading some Kipling and was reminded of W. H. Auden's belief  that history will forgive an author his or her personal failings so long as the work is good.  That seems to run counter to the current milieu. 

--JDR

 Time  . . .

Worships language and forgives

Everyone by whom it lives . . .

 

Time with this strange excuse

Pardoned Kipling and his views

And will pardon Paul Claudel

Pardons him for writing well.

            —W. H. Auden, 1939