Part 11/13:
A key component of Hedland’s and Stenberg’s responses is their framing of their actions within a moral crusade. Hedland emphasizes the importance of "ethical integrity" and suggests that speaking out against hate is a higher moral obligation. Critics view this as a form of virtue signaling—an attempt to elevate oneself morally while dismissing valid criticism of the art itself.
Stenberg’s mention of "being true to yourself" and her refusal to conform visually or culturally during her childhood are seen as symbolic gestures of moral superiority, but they are also perceived as deflective tactics and self-serving posturing in the face of a failed project.