Whilst there is almost always a good and bad aspect to something, it is always better to let go of “things” when their negative aspects disproportionally outweigh the positive – it is even more so when the perceived benefits are temporal whilst the consequences are sometimes permanent and long lasting. This is the exact position the concept of “cancel culture” finds itself in, and it is the reason why“cancel culture” should be canceled.
What is cancel culture?
If you stumbled upon this article with no previous knowledge of what “cancel culture” is, permit me to explain: “Cancel culture” is simply a modern form of ex-communication or banishment in which a person – usually a celebrity or person of influence – is collectively condemned for their action, stance, or opinion (even if it was in the past).
As the name suggests, the individual is ostracized from the social circle; and whilst this usually happens online, it often has massive offline repercussions – ranging from loss of status, job, or other social benefits and opportunities.
A good example would be Louis C.K who lost his job and fans in 2018 after confessing to sexual misconduct. Or J.K. Rowling whose fans turned against her after she made transphobic statements on Twitter. Or the banning of Donald Trump (while still in office) for making insurrection inciting statements on social media. Or Kevin Hart who suffered public backlash (in 2019) because of homophobic jokes he made long ago (in 2009).
The truth is that the list is endless. And not even the “throne” of “Presidency” is safe from cancel culture. In fact, no one is immune to being “canceled” – not even you!
The big idea behind cancel culture is that it gives the masses the power to degrade people (by simply “cancelling” them).
Why Cancel Culture Should Be Canceled
The problem with cancel culture is that it forbids the sprouting of new ideas or consideration of different perspectives. But that’s not all. Cancel culture is also woefully ineffective at times in doing the thing it aims at accomplishing.
For example, when J.K. Rowling was canceled in 2020, her book sales increased. In fact, history has proven that cancel culture ends up promoting the people it aims to quieten in some cases. And even when it succeeds, the success is as glorious as a mob throwing stones at a helpless individual for making a single mistake (despite all their previous years of doing good).
It serves the purpose of burying an individual’s individuality – goodness, hard work, and hope – under a single mistake (or wrong). It is like waking up tomorrow morning only to find the video of you farting scattered all over the internet, with everyone capitalizing on that to judge and even condemn you as a smelly pig.
Of course, everyone farts. So also, everyone makes mistakes or says something wrong – but not all the time.
The problem with the internet is that whilst it is quick to move on (to new and interesting things), it never forgets. The records are stored, people create copies or take screenshots so it’s impossible to completely wipe them off and get rid of them.
This means an offense from over a decade (or more) can still hunt you for decades to come. So that you still have people being rejected for job interviews for obnoxious tweets they made during their teenage years – even though they are now much older and wiser.
The cancel culture gives people the opportunity to pounce on anyone who holds contrary opinions. If “trolling” and “calling out” people were the left and right hook respectively, then “cancel culture” is the upper-cut that knocks out the victim.
We have thousands of people who judge, condemn, and punish people without giving them the opportunity to repent or even explain themselves. And even if they do get the opportunity, they are either doubted or too tainted to even go on with their lives as usual.
The result is that it causes people to be extra-cautious, to the extent of not being able to express their views for fear of being “canceled” – for fear of being punished perpetually.
The Way Forward
After the ban of Donald Trump, the CEO of Twitter, Jack Dorsey, explained “Having to take these actions fragments the public conversation… they divide us. They limit the potential for clarification, redemption, and learning.” Furthermore, he wrote, “I do not celebrate or feel pride in our having to ban @realDonaldTrump from Twitter…”
The truth is that cancel culture is nothing new, and just like society went from decapitating people and having their heads on spikes, to having them appear in court and (when found guilty – after hearing their side of the story) were sentenced to imprisonment or freed, so also society needs to move from “cancel culture” to a more reformed approach to things.
People need to be given the chance to change their minds, and an opportunity to apologize and even improve. Cancel culture accomplishes none of those because it is most times fueled by overly sensitive people who hardly take the time to think deeply about what, and why someone said something, and who might even get offended reading this.
But then again, that’s the point. People should learn to listen to ideas and perspectives that challenge theirs because it is the only way we can grow.
Much appreciated
It’s so true
This should be posted on Facebook and Twitter. You are correct, also regarding the cancelation of bad things in our history; why how are we and future generations to learn not to repeat mistakes of the past if all knowledge and evidence of those mistakes is erased?
Very good article.
So educative. Thanks very much.
Please keep up the good spirit.
Happens in religious cults a lot
I loved your coment about the ” cancel culture” issue.I never gave a thought to the subject even it happens all the time and it is under my nose.I read it several times and took me a lot of time to think about it.But is worth.Thanks a lot
Thank you for writing about this. I believe that those who engage in cancel culture are not empathetic and derive pleasure from negatively impacting others lives. This leads me to believe they are not overly sensitive.
Excellent views
Hi there
This help me a lot to understand difference situations to each other and other people’s
Regard juduis ngoako mabetoa.
Awesome advice – deeply touched and inspired
This note was informative to me. I got counsel out of it instead of cancel message. My spirit got raised from feeling dejected and cancelled.
Excellent article. Should be published in papers, sent to school administrations, news casters and all political parties asking if they ‘comprehend’
This is an awesome article exactly how I feel thank you so much it was very positive you’re wonderful
Thank you for an intelligent article. In the study of human psychology, the Enneagram talks about the un-integrated expression of an “8” in their system of characterizing different people, and I have first hand knowledge of being at the effect of this energy, through one of my sisters. She is in the habit of Xing people out. It is a trait with 8’s. I imagine a feeling of “superiority” is a defense that some people cling to for their own reasons, and so they can be completely intolerant of others if they feel remotely justified.
Even as a basically inclusive loving person, tolerant beyond the norm, I know I can react in a way that is totally intolerant if I think someone is being ignorant/stupid and endangering themselves or others in the process.
The LOVE & WISDOM aspect in my make up can be so attached to “wisdom” it becomes intolerant to “ignorance”.
Energy is neither good nor bad, but as unevolved humans, we are still learning how to live in our hearts 24 hours a day and express ourselves in the highest vibrational way instead of the lowest. Awareness of oneself in the present moment seems to be part of the issue. Being present and observant in a loving way of life as you live it, see it, experience it, seems to be the challenge.
I had no idea my comment would go on so long.
Best wishes,
Carol Martin
Barrie ON
BA, RMT
Now I understand what this article is about I didn’t know there was even something called cancel culture culture cancel but in regards to that I feel we’re in the United States we all are entitled to our opinions but if they are hurtful to someone else keep them to yourself you know people might not like what I think or how I think about things and I might not like about how other people think about things but that is all right to do that because we are free country but I would never attack someone because they think differently than me that’s what makes us unique and I live in the positive way of life so thank you for the article.
So true, im so glad I’m not the only one who gone through all this
And yes the world needs to know this too as then maybe things can be changed
Put this article on the front page of every paper!
Im going to agree with Carol Martin Berrie sometimes it seems like we are being programed to hate and to think only of ourselves.
That philosophy has put every culture, society and individual on a lonely road to nowhere and then destruction and you don’t want to be the last one standing.
I read again and again. It helps me to guide my self in a good way.