THE CASE FOR CANCEL CULTURE

A cultural commentator advocates for cancel culture as a social movement that mobilizes the weak to “speak truth to power.”

With the rise of social media, the ability of individuals to comment publicly on the behavior of others has increased exponentially. According to Owens, calling out people and corporations for their racism, sexism, greed, and general insensitivity toward others and pressuring them to be accountable is the essence of cancel culture, and he argues that cancel culture is a force of progressive social change for the greater good. Political to its core, cancel culture comes in two styles: conservative and progressive. Conservatives are eager to cancel critical race theory and such groups as Black Lives Matter, yet they hypocritically condemn cancel culture for stifling free speech. Progressives use it to protect the vulnerable from being oppressed and exploited even as many on the left fret about its excesses. Overall, Owens views the negative reaction to cancel culture by the rich and powerful—particularly older, White, heterosexual, elite males regardless of political persuasion—as an attempt to preserve their privilege. Further, he wants us to recognize that cancel culture is not new. Along with the Boston Tea Party, his list of historical cancellations includes the Stonewall riots of 1969, the charging of Harvey Weinstein with sexual harassment in 2020, and Representative Liz Cheney’s recent ouster from Republican leadership in the House. “Once passive on Trump’s racist and incompetent leadership as someone who had previously voted for him,” writes the author, “Cheney was one of the few from the Right in Congress who voted to impeach the former president for wrongdoing in the January 6 insurrection.” By so extending his reach, however, Owens dilutes his argument. Distinctions matter, particularly when it comes to political action. Moreover, his belief that cancel culture can turn individual complaint into collective action needs much more thought.

An undercooked yet relevant reminder of the possibilities of cancel culture and how it can make the powerful accountable.