Letters- Role of the artist/politics

I'd like to discuss Porter's letter to Allen Tate on page 27 (Jan 27, 1931), wherein she talks about a writer (donald davidson) who has publicly declared he will not write during a political crisis (not sure if that refers to the great depression, the spread of communism, fascism, whatever) and that any artist who does continue producing art is a "treason to society." Miss Porter took issue. I think her views on the role (and definition) of an artist in society are fiery and very interesting, maybe we can talk about that?