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How do we think about cancel culture? How do we think about cancel culture?
Cancel culture is critical for democracy Cancel culture is critical for democracy
Cancel culture is a myth Cancel culture is a myth
Cancel culture must be cancelled Cancel culture must be cancelled
Cancel culture redresses systemic oppression Cancel culture redresses systemic oppression
Cancel culture is being weaponised by a privileged elite Cancel culture is being weaponised by a privileged elite
Cancel culture is a valuable form of protest that asks society to prioritize justice for victims over perpetrators’ comfort Cancel culture is a valuable form of protest that asks society to prioritize justice for victims over perpetrators’ comfort
Cancel culture typifies the snowflake mentality Cancel culture typifies the snowflake mentality
Cancel culture represents a shift in public accountability Cancel culture represents a shift in public accountability
Cancel culture is a byproduct of smart technology Cancel culture is a byproduct of smart technology
Cancel culture may not be widespread. Cancel culture may not be widespread.
Cancel culture discourages dialogue and creates a climate of fear Cancel culture discourages dialogue and creates a climate of fear
Cancel culture is an insidious form of virtue signalling Cancel culture is an insidious form of virtue signalling
Cancel culture exists to promote a ruthless mob mentality Cancel culture exists to promote a ruthless mob mentality
Cancel culture is rooted in the ethics of white supremacy Cancel culture is rooted in the ethics of white supremacy
Cancel culture endangers democracy and freedom of expression Cancel culture endangers democracy and freedom of expression
Cancel culture represents a crisis where free speech is silenced Cancel culture represents a crisis where free speech is silenced
Cancel culture incorrectly assumes that morality is binary Cancel culture incorrectly assumes that morality is binary
Cancel culture strengthens the surveillance state Cancel culture strengthens the surveillance state
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How do we think about cancel culture?
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Cancel culture is a myth

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Cancel culture represents a shift in public accountability

Cancel culture has given rise to forms of positive social progress.
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The Argument

Cancel culture has given rise to forms of positive social progress. In turn, this establishes new, powerful behavioural norms. Advocates point to the #MeToo movement, which toppled the movie mogul and serial sexual abuser Harvey Weinstein after twenty years at the top. Without social media, it is likely Weinstein would still be in power today. The impact of this single incident however is where progress has really been seen. As Weinstein's demise went viral, it also created a platform for women to stand together and open up about sexual violence they had suffered. On the back of this, several US states including California and New York outlawed workplace NDAs in cases of sexual violence. And greater provision was made to create a wider cultural shift, such as the "Time's Up" fund helping women seek justice against harassment, which raised over $24m. Proponents include left-wing talking heads New York Times Culture Editor Maya Salam and author and New Republic reporter Melissa Gira Grant.

Counter arguments

Premises

Rejecting the premises

References

This page was last edited on Monday, 6 Jul 2020 at 15:13 UTC

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