Cancel Culture will never be effective, because its results differ depending on the person. Furthermore, until the actual definition is understood--we will continue “canceling,” people over ignorance, rather than giving them a chance to be educated on the matter, which takes away from their natural born rights. When it comes to problematic figures such as Jordan Peterson, Donald Trump, or Kanye West--I think it is important to stand firm in your beliefs, but also understand that we cannot alienate those whose opinions differ from ours. What I mean by this, is that despite how outlandish something may seem--we all have the right to free speech. Nonetheless, I think it is important to recognize when someone is spreading mis/disinformation, and counter their statements, but it has to be understood that someone spreading misinformation may not be intentional in their actions. Although everyone is not willing to be educated, we all deserve the opportunity.
Cancel culture takes away the opportunity to learn, and if we don’t give people that right--we take away their ability to grow from it. Similarly, the majority of people we try to cancel--are generally people that we do not know in real life. I do understand that you don’t have to know someone to recognize ill intent or racist, and misogynistic views--however, when we recognize the privilege and or ignorance someone was raised in--we are able to understand that some people cannot be swayed from their beliefs--at that point, it is not our job to do so. Alternatively, we can make the active choice to boycott that person, which allows us to stand firm in our personal beliefs, acknowledge disinformation, and not use so much energy into making sure someone is “canceled.” Boycotting has proven to be effective over the years, and is a much better way to ensure that you are actively choosing not to engage in something that you do not believe in.
As I previously stated, cancel culture does not always work--which gives strangers behind fake usernames, and pictures, the opportunity and power to cancel people who actually have power. Not to say that some people don’t deserve to be canceled, but we can’t pick and choose who to actually hold accountable. So much of the internet is about following trends that most people do not fact-check their information, or even understand why they’re upset with a certain celebrity. This kind of stereotype then becomes a race issue. The current climate of the NBA regarding actions that Kyrie Irving took--is a situation where we are not allowing him to be educated. He is forced to pay 500 thousand dollars and take sensitivity training for unintentionally promoting anti-semitism, and instead of allowing him to be educated--, he is being villanized. Make no mistake that his race plays a huge role in this. However, I do believe he should be held accountable, but to what extent are other people in his same position being held accountable?
Taking away his right to be educated, and continuing to villanize him because of his stature is not effective when there are police officers who viciously murder black people, and also have to take sensitivity training and possibly suspension. Are we saying that what Kyrie did is on that same level? That’s impossible, which is why cancel culture is ineffective. Was Kyrie Irving wrong? Yes. There are Anti-Semitic people who look up to figures like him and can take this opportunity to embrace their views, which is dangerous to members of the Jewish community.
Overall, so much of cancel culture involves opinion, and will never accomplish what is necessary in regard to educating people, and understanding the right to free speech. When we acknowledge disinformation, abuse, and racist views--we need to hold those people accountable and boycott that person, if we choose to do so.
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