Cancel Culture -- Defining the Disease and Finding the Cure

American Thinker ^ | 17 Aug, 2023 | Gerald T. Rigdon

[MtnClimber]

Man needs some guiding philosophy to live by and, in the absence of a strong, coherent one, will opt for something based on a whim and driven entirely by emotion, like the negative energy of a cancel cutlure mob.

Cancel Culture (CC) is a cultural phenomenon best exemplified by fanatical concern over pictures in Dr. Seuss books. However, its true meaning is often obscured when invoked to describe a less controversial social reaction to overt criminal behavior. Advocates of Enlightenment values have a responsibility to untangle the web spun by social-justice activism and clarify the real concerns this culture represents. Consider the following questions:

1. What is the most appropriate way to employ the term CC within a consistent conceptual framework?

2. What is the basis for CC morality and its effect?

3. How can one combat the spread of irrational CC behavior?

Understanding CC

While the phrase “cancel culture” had popped up now and then over the past decade on social media platforms, it seemed to gain significant traction during the 2017 Me Too movement and is now ubiquitous.

However, in understanding CC, there is a need to separate lawbreakers from the discussion. For example, Harvey Weinstein was not "canceled"; he was found guilty of criminal behavior. Hence, it is necessary to use CC in a proper context to prevent it masquerading as rational social response and accepted as a societal norm.

Appropriate use of the reference is especially necessary when people who are "canceled" while exercising their First Amendment rights are lumped together with felons. To be clear, the divide between a convicted rapist and an alleged racist is significant. On the one hand, you have proven illegal, violent behavior; on the other, you have an unproven accusation that is not criminal even if true...

[MtnClimber]

I think cancel culture is similar to the Chinese struggle sessions. The main goal is not even the punishment or cancelling of the offender. The main goal is to drill it into the minds of the observers that they better observe the politically correct behavior OR ELSE.

[Alberta's Child]

“Cancel culture” is a defining characteristic of any group or society dominated by stunted misfits and losers.