I'm referring to things being taken out of historical context in ways that are subject to misinterpretation, or with such skewed selection that one ends up with a substantially wrong impression.

I completely support your point that we can view people as both heroic and terrible.

The only thing I'm adding is that just as it's possible to lionize while saying only true things by omitting all the unpleasant things, it's also possible to demonize while saying only true things by emphasizing the unpleasant things too heavily.

Bill Cosby, serial date rapist, advertiser of cigars, and entertainer, who publicly criticized black men for the stereotype of beating up their wives.

Misleading, isn't it? All true, but misleading.

So, let's not do that, hm?

There's a broad spectrum of perspectives that seem fair enough. I'm only advocating for everyone to be cognizant of the ease with which the error of lionization can be replaced by the error of demonization so they can be thoughtfully comfortable with their own presentation of things; and so others can remind themselves that both things can happen.