Chances are you’ve encountered the term “cancel culture.” This concept tends to spark heated debates; some view it as a divisive tactic. However, at its core, it represents a form of accountability that varies in impact. When someone faces cancellation, it typically stems from harmful actions or statements they’ve made. Consequently, people decide to withdraw their support. The repercussions of being cancelled can range from losing cultural relevance to, in serious cases, job loss or terminated endorsements. Critics argue that cancel culture can be excessive, but the essence of cancellation revolves around holding individuals accountable for their actions. It’s crucial that people understand their behaviors have consequences.
Over the past decade, the meaning of cancellation has shifted. Its origin traces back to Black Twitter in 2014, where it started out relatively benign—sometimes even triggered by a joke. However, as the term gained traction, its implications grew more severe. Following the Me Too movement, numerous individuals faced cancellation due to allegations of sexual harassment, while others encountered backlash for racist or homophobic remarks. Importantly, cancellation isn’t limited to celebrities; ordinary individuals can also face similar consequences.
The current discourse around cancel culture has been amplified by right-wing supporters. They argue that their champions suffer unjust consequences for their beliefs. Yet, the issue isn’t the conservative stance itself; it’s the actions that accompany those beliefs. Engaging in an insurrection isn’t merely an exercise of civil rights—it’s harmful behavior. If that’s how one chooses to express their beliefs, financial repercussions are warranted.
It’s easy to attribute accountability to cancel culture. However, expecting accountability is merely the baseline expectation. Individuals often act with knowledge of the potential fallout, yet they proceed anyway, indicating they feel immune to consequences. The only recourse is to ensure they face repercussions—whether they learn from it is beyond our control, but the aim is to make them reconsider their choices in the future.
Consider the example of Sarah Johnson, a white woman who attempted to have a Black man arrested in Central Park. When David Lee (not related) reminded her about leashing her dog, she reacted with anger and called the police, falsely claiming harassment. She was fully aware of the danger her actions posed to him. As this incident gained media attention, Sarah faced significant fallout: she lost her job and temporarily lost custody of her dog.
Some may argue that this is an instance of cancel culture overstepping, but that’s not the case. Sarah knew the consequences of her call to the police, especially when she described David as “threatening.” There’s no denying that her intent was to cause harm. Calling the police on a Black man without justification can have life-threatening implications, especially with video evidence revealing her misconduct. Given the societal reckoning occurring at that time, she was fortunate that her only punishment was losing her job. While this doesn’t rectify the damage done, it might encourage her to reconsider her future actions.
This highlights a crucial aspect of the cancel culture conversation: no one is truly cancelled solely for their beliefs. It’s their actions stemming from those beliefs that lead to trouble. Often, the views expressed can inflict real harm. Sarah’s actions endangered David’s safety, just as an actress recently fired from a popular show faced consequences for her intolerant remarks. Sharing such views can emotionally harm marginalized communities; imagine if someone you admire openly declared you unworthy. The impact is profound.
Individuals with significant platforms must recognize their heightened accountability. It’s not an unfair standard; those who devalue others should not hold influential positions. Such rhetoric can perpetuate harm and embolden others who share those views. Allowing harmful ideologies to proliferate can have dire consequences.
Deplatforming individuals with destructive beliefs is crucial—it limits their ability to spread harmful ideologies. We must not tolerate behaviors that inflict harm on marginalized groups. Issues like racism, transphobia, antisemitism, and sexual assault are not mere differences of opinion; they are ideologies that can lead to loss of life. Publicly advocating such views disqualifies individuals from maintaining a prominent platform.
If someone loses their job for attempting to harm a marginalized person or group, the consequences are minor in the larger context. Those who publicly espouse harmful rhetoric likely harbor similar beliefs privately. A woman who calls the police on a Black stranger is likely to do the same to someone she knows personally. This erodes trust among her colleagues, particularly those from marginalized communities. How could her Black co-workers feel safe around her? If her employer serves Black clients, they risk losing business by retaining her. She’s proven untrustworthy and must face the consequences of her actions.
Cancel culture is not a symptom of an overly sensitive society; it represents a necessary response to hold people accountable. If individuals fear losing their positions due to their beliefs, it’s likely those beliefs are harmful. If one is willing to publicly share such views, they should be prepared to face the fallout. This is how we can begin to progress.
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Summary
The article discusses the concept of cancel culture, emphasizing that it is essentially about accountability for harmful actions rather than merely a punitive measure. It highlights the evolution of cancellation, the importance of recognizing the consequences of one’s beliefs, and the necessity of holding individuals accountable for their actions. Using the example of Sarah Johnson, the piece illustrates the potential repercussions of harmful behavior. Accountability is essential for progress, and the article argues that cancel culture serves as a mechanism for ensuring individuals face consequences for their actions.