Let’s Cancel ‘Cancel Culture’
I don’t often complain, but I feel the need to speak out against this so-called ‘cancel culture’ movement which seems intent on destroying everything from historical landmarks – if not history itself – to careers.
Where did it come from? How did it become so pervasive in today’s society?
At the end of the day, it’s really just different groups grinding their axes. The motivation can be justifiable sure, but more often than not, it’s the by-product of people seeking to weaponize their opinions via cries of “injustice” or “discrimination”. Who are the arbiters of such claims? Who decides on mine and your behalf, what is offensive to society as a whole – the greater good and all that? And further, who thereafter decides, what the outcome of such a “ruling” – I’m laughing as I type that word – should be?
Before determining whether or not we need to cancel culture, I should probably give you a definition of what it is: Very simply stated, it’s the removal of support for an individual, company, or brand through the galvanizing of public opinion because said person(s) or brand is deemed to have done or said something ‘unacceptable’.
But again I ask; who determines the rule of thumb on what is and is not, acceptable? Who sets and adjudicates the pub test? Because what’s acceptable to one person may be completely abhorrent to another. Minorities should be respected and often protected, but they should not generally determine what’s in the best interests of the majority.
We are all human beings on this planet. You can put any number of letters after your name, change your pronoun, feel history was written by tyrants, etc…I support your right to be what you want and say what you want, but ONLY if you agree that we are all humans. And why is that important? Because accepting this fact removes entitlement and hierarchy from our society.
We are all equal, no matter your sexual preference, your political leanings, your race, or religion. And the moment we start asserting we are aggrieved by the actions of another, using the cowardly and often extremely damaging tool of social media, turning many against said perpetrator, we become an example of the very thing these people are railing against. What about those of us who dislike cancel culture? Should we form groups to attack and vilify those in favour of it?
Wars are horrible things, but they have been occurring for a very long time. The first armed conflict recorded by eyewitnesses was the Battle of Megiddo in 1479 BC! Suffice to say there have been thousands since, destroying countless lives, countries, and territories and, subjugating many peoples. It was famously said that ‘history is written by the victors’ and this is a universal truth. But who determines subsequently, that the statue of a politician or general should be torn down because in the minds of some people, these are ornaments to tyrants? If we are truly concerned about the oppression of civil liberties and rights, why are there so many tyrants in power today? Does cancel culture include Ellen DeGeneres, Winston Churchill, and JK Rowling but not current world leaders? If not, why not?! Who are the keyboard warriors making these calls?
‘Cancellation’ is for many people, the worst form of punishment. Can you imagine being ‘cancelled’?! To wake up tomorrow and find no one acknowledges you, and if they do, it’s only in a negative and/or destructive manner. The re-writing of history because some people don’t like it is abhorrent to me. History is by no means “perfect”. Not even close. But it isn’t meant to be. It teaches us valuable lessons which can help shape a better existence today and tomorrow. Those lessons are lost when we start trying to re-interpret what should and should not have occurred. What should and should not have been said.
It also feeds the ‘victim’ mentality which sadly in my experience, is increasingly common. There are established means, agencies, and systems to hold people and corporations to account for wrongdoing. I encourage you to use these if you feel aggrieved. The court of public opinion is easily persuaded and often without any sound basis or foundation. That very culture could one day turn on you.
So think before you get emotionally swept up in a cause. Research it. Ask who’s behind it and what their motivation is? You just might find that they need to be cancelled more than the person or company/brand they’re railing against.