Don't Meet Your Heroes - A Scholar's Approach the Image of H.P. Lovecraft

As a horror fan, I have always admired H.P. Lovecraft's influence on the gothic and horror genres. Some could say that his integration of classic horror conventions paved the way for other writers of the dark and macabre. 

Like horror writer Victor LaValle, who discovered H.P. Lovecraft to be of racist and misogynistic beliefs, I've struggled with grasping the idea that someone I once idolized compromised principal for effect. As LaValle admitted, I don't think it was until later in life that I realized the underlying racial and misogynistic prejudices in Lovecraft's work. I had forgotten about poems like "On the Creation of N*ggers" (Cruz). Though I can see for other writers, this would be unforgettable. LaValle said that for him, the question of Lovecraft as an icon brought forth the revelation that "You can love something, love someone, and criticize them. That's called maturity" (Trussoni). 

However, I don't necessarily agree with the idea that those who find it too much of moral conflict to continue to praise Lovecraft are immature. Instead, I think we should continue to study Lovecraft and the foundation he laid for future creators of dark fiction, but allow the criticism and question of his values. In this, I believe readers could find some of his work is no longer relevant without being censored from it. We have an obligation to readers and future creators to reevaluate figures from the past. We can study Lovecraft and appreciate his work, but in that, we have to discuss how similar sentiments of hatred don't belong in an art form meant to educate and inspire. I believe these conversations and questioning of political correctness honors diversity without integrating the halo effect for artists who have created pieces that no longer are worthy of praise. 

With this approach, I feel encouraged as a writer to look at iconic work from the past and take from it, only what belongs in modern literature--the means to tell a story, enact change, and make readers feel understood. Time's have changed, and if we want to continue to see growth in the way we treat one another, everything we create should look to the past with a keen understanding of the inclusivity that belongs in the future. 

Works Cited 

Cruz, Lenika. "Political Correctness Won't Ruin H.P. Lovecraft's Legacy." Retrieved from https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/11/hp-lovecraft-world-fantasy-awards/415485/ 

Trussoni, Danielle. "Something Wicked This Way Comes." The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/24/books/review/fall-horror-fiction.html