All that is currently happening in our world is important and necessary. I want to be as clear as possible about that. An awakening to racism and action to bring down the institutions and culture that have proliferated racism since 1619 is necessary. As a peace and justice seeker, I truly believe this work should not end until the systems that caused it are brought down and equality is achieved for everyone.
As a conflict resolution practitioner, I can’t help but to notice how the idea of cancel culture is playing into the actions (or inactions) of the current movement.
What is cancel culture?
According to dictionary.com, cancel culture refers to the popular practice of withdrawing support for public figures and companies after they have done or said something considered objectionable or offensive. This often happens through social media and can be seen as group shaming.
Cancel culture is powerful. Perhaps one would argue that there is an appropriate time and place for this type of action and that companies and/or figures deserve to be shamed. I’m not here to validate that or not, but to simply say that cancelling limits or prevents conversations that are necessary and inhibits change and forward progress.
Cancel culture breeds conflict and gives little to no opportunity for resolution. The only way to get to resolution in conflict is to hear the other side. To listen. To communicate. To try to understand. To share and teach each other.
In October 2019, Barack Obama said, “The world is messy. There are ambiguities. People who do really good stuff have flaws.” So, before we take ‘action’ through public shaming and cancelling, let’s communicate. It’s hard, but it’s worth it.