Cancel culture refers to the popular practice of withdrawing support for (canceling) public figures and companies after they have done or said something considered objectionable or offensive. Cancel culture is generally discussed as being performed on social media in the form of group shaming.
(via Dictionary.com so you know it’s real)
NGL, I thought twice about writing whether or not “Cancel Culture is Toxic Culture” and questioned whether I believe that myself. But over the past few weeks, I’ve seen more and more viral social media posts addressing that same topic. Let’s discuss, shall we?
Cancel Culture… is tricky but also needs to be canceled itself. As the title says, it’s toxic. It’s confusing. It’s good. It’s bad. It’s… who knows? I understand how the idea of it as doing good and hold people who did wrong to admit their wrongdoings, I find that great. People need to be held accountable for their f’d up actions. But then there’s that teetering line where it’s one extreme outcome or another.
IT’S A TRICKY CONVERSATION, BUT HERE I GO AND TRY.
I’ve referred to so many Instagram posts to try and gather my thoughts that align with what was said in a nicely designed graphic. (See here, here, here) On the one hand, I’m not saying that everyone should turn the blind eye only when it benefits them. On the other, are we wrong to keep someone at such a high standard that we’re not giving them a chance to change?
I’ve said some stupid shit and inexcusable actions that I’m so ashamed and embarrassed thinking about today.
But what happens when you become an adult? You learn your wrongs. You’re understanding and realizing, “Oh shit, that was NOT how I should have been.” My 12-year-old self does not define and resemble who I am today at 27. As a person, you grow, take things in, reevaluate your life, and, hopefully, you’re off into a better path than you were years before. As bystanders, we should accept that the person at fault is actively making strides to make the changes.
The thing I won’t stand behind is someone who repeatedly makes an unjustifiable mistake. Someone who has blatantly not done any action to move the needle forward, reevaluate their own actions, and manifest a desirable reputation. Someone who repeatedly shows no remorse for their actions doesn’t listen to feedback/reaction, gives blanket apologies, and wipes their hands clean as if it’s another day.
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~Spoiler alert~ everyone on this list has been X’d out of the conversation, and every day, more and more people are added to this “list.”
Cancel Culture versus Accountability (as seen here).
The best thing about cancel culture is when the abusers and individuals who’ve caused unspeakable harm are rightfully exposed. But, don’t cancel the other half who are taking the steps to be better. Who are working to be better. Who are evidently showing us day by day, they’re an ally and not the enemy.
We’re human. We’re going to make mistakes. We’re going to (hopefully) acknowledge, reflect, and make strides on becoming a better, well-informed person. We never get things right the first time, so hold people accountable and make the changes instead of beating the dead bush.
And speaking about beating a dead bush…
As Jolene mentioned, the backlash is so intense. I’m sure we’ve all seen it. The back and forth screenshot reveals, the “you’re a piece of trash go die in a hole,” and all the crazy internet-bullying people have to endure is reason enough to back off. Why are we spending so much time exposing even further when it may not be productive in the long run?
For this topic, there is never going to be a right or wrong because look, everyone is allowed to have their opinions on things. As much as I want to leave this article with a definitive answer of which side came out on top, it’s not that easy.
But then again, it is my blog, and at the end of the day, for the love of God, let’s work on becoming better people and not a piece of shit.
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