“Once upon a time the only people we used to ‘cancel’ were those who went to jail, a.k.a. criminals! Even then, we hoped that they would learn from their mistakes and try to integrate them back into society. Correct someone, don’t cancel them, because one day you will be the person who makes a social blunder and I’m sure you would want to be forgiven. We don’t teach our children, “don’t play with that kid, they called so-and-so names”. People also have a right to a different opinion, as appalling as that opinion might be to you”.
Gilda Tavernese
This was a comment I posted on social media in regards to cancel culture. It’s not that I totally disagree with unfriending or distancing myself from those who’s view point I might find atrocious, but the public modern age stoning of those who are even remotely associated to unpopular present day opinion is what I find concerning. Healthy debates, truly listening to someone’s view point is not only important but necessary in order to keep peace and to avoid civil unrest. People losing their jobs or being publicly shamed is not only not helpful but dangerous because it can drive someone to the far opposite extreme. Now I can understand the need to create more accepting environments for all, I am the first to say that no one should be left behind for whatever reason they may be deemed an outcast, but if you stop and think of the dangers that cancel culture can create you might see that positive change is not necessarily the end result.
I see more division, more discourse, more polarizing view points. I see less cohesiveness, less understanding, less listening and less unity all around. Of course, I am not condoning non law abiding behaviours or hate speech, but I hope you can see that the line is becoming ever so fine and positive change—which I would hope is the end goal for everyone—is not always the direct result of cancelling people all together.
If we surround ourselves with people who only think like us, who see our view points, and who agree wholeheartedly with our way of life are we really creating a more peaceful society, or are we creating a more divisive environment? If we refuse to speak to someone who made a social blunder, will we also refuse to break bread with them, work with them, live next to them? Where does the ‘cancelling’ end? How helpful is it?
Of course there are extreme cases where a person’s words incites violence, and that would require intervention. However in many circumstances allowing open discussion around the table—allowing opposing viewpoints to flourish over dinner is often where change truly begins.
Why not have an uncomfortable, but respectful, conversation? Why not keep dialogues open ended, to be revisited and to be continued? There need not be a clear winner in the end, just progress. Progress doesn’t mean your point of view is being slowly accepted by the other person—it means that healthy debates are being had and people feel heard and even understood, regardless of their view point. I fear we are going down a potentially dangerous path. We may initially feel like victory is being achieved, but at the expense of not achieving true peace or true understanding. Resentment can lead to hatred, which can lead to unrest, and possibly retaliation. I wish I had all the answers but I know that together we can achieve great things if we are truly accepting of all.
Thoughts At F___ It Forties 