Is Cancel Culture Really New?
In the early 1980s when I was an undergraduate student at a large state university, I had several unsettling experiences in which it felt unwise to express a different point of view. To publicly disagree, raise alternative perspectives, or refer to my faith was risky. In my naivete I thought university would be a respectful place to learn from others as I engaged with new subjects, social issues, and wrestle with my own responses to them. My experience was similar but not as extreme to what Rikki Schlott described as the “crisis of self-censorship” on college campuses today in which students are encouraged to report on each other and educators.[1]
Below are two examples with the caveat that I truly enjoyed both professors and the classes described below but felt confused and taken aback by the censorship and shaming to which I was subjected.
During my junior year I forced myself to take two speech classes. On the first day of class the professor warned us to stay off the controversial topics of religion, politics, and abortion. The most memorable student speech I heard was the reflections of a young man’s experience baking brownies with his grandma as a child complete with detailed instructions, the recipe, and samples. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the speech, and my heart was warmed by what the student shared. Grandparenting is impactful and awesome! My point is that we were all silenced on topics that at least I had assumed would be integral to my academic learning. I wasn’t fearful of hearing opposing opinions or original thoughts, so I was genuinely surprised that students were not given the benefit of the doubt in terms of being tolerant and capable of listening and interacting respectfully with diverse perspectives.
Another course for my degree in social work required us to participate in a values clarification exercise in which we were to indicate in front of the entire class where we stood on social and moral issues. Presumably, this was so we could identify how our values might impact our future vocation as social workers in diverse settings. It ended up with a public shaming by the professor as he equated the few of us who stood for the sanctity of human life with arsonists. I could go on. My brave attempts to practice using my voice left me more anxious about doing so. I am not surprised that my alma mater ranked 188th on the FIRE 2022 College Free Speech Rankings list.[2] Are these examples of early cancel culture tactics designed to conform me to certain ways of thinking and to not use my voice? Shouldn’t college campuses be a safe place to express a variety of intellectual thoughts, ideas, and perspectives?
I am both validated and alarmed by Rikki Schlott’s more recent experience and impressed by her willingness to speak out as it appears things have only gotten worse. After reading a few of Schlott’s articles, including a delightful piece about her relationship with her 84-year-old father who influenced her independent thinking, I am so impressed with this young woman, her voice, and her leadership in such a volatile profession as journalism.[3] She reminds me of the type of leaders Annabel Beerel calls for, “…leaders with new levels of consciousness, courage, and compassion.”[4] I’m also inspired to have a nice long conversation with my own 84-year-old dad.
The Cancelling of the American Mind, by Greg Lukianoff and Rikki Schlott, added another layer to my understanding of the cultural changes that occurred during my decades-long absence from the United States. The term cancel culture only entered my vocabulary about 18-months ago, but its impact was noticed almost immediately upon my return in 2014, the year Lukianoff and Schlott identify as the beginning of the cancel culture movement. The level of judgment, slander, and disrespect for anyone with a dissenting opinion on every news channel was frankly appalling. Granted, I may be a bit sensitive after decades in countries where national and world news reports were tightly controlled, but where did news anchors like Dan Rather go? Was he a victim of cancellation when he was fired from CBS in 2006?[5]
Lukianoff and Schlott formulated a definition of cancel culture as, “the uptick beginning around 2014, and accelerating in 2017 and after, of campaigns to get people fired, disinvited, deplatformed, or otherwise punished for speech that is – or would be – protected by First Amendment standards and the climate of fear and conformity that has resulted from this uptick.”[6] They clarified that being cancelled also includes “attempted cancellations.”[7] Referring to the explosion of cancel culture during the Covid-19 pandemic and the missed opportunity to encourage robust debate, Lukianoff and Schlott offer an antidote to any epistemic crisis, “epistemic humility” which means acknowledging we might be wrong and not cancelling those who think or believe differently.[8] It also might look like renewing our belief that, “Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.”[9] If we can calm down enough to humbly listen to one another might we actually come up with better responses and solutions? Are we capable of creating a Free Speech Culture where respect, debate, and open dialogue can be modeled for future generations?
The truth is free speech isn’t free. At least not for everyone. Using our voice to advocate an unpopular perspective can be costly. Free speech can be done with humility. And, just my opinion, I think cancel culture has been around for a long time. Jesus was cancelled and yet His truth and teaching continue to spread. Free speech and standing up for what is right takes courage. Maybe we need better strategies for supporting one another and managing the consequences of free speech without silencing anyone in the process.
P.S. Thank you to all the moms, dads, and grandparents who faithfully challenge their offspring to think, stand up for themselves and what they believe, and share their stories!
[1] https://nypost.com/2021/07/31/freedom-of-speech-is-endangered-at-colleges-so-im-fighting-back/
[2] Greg Lukianoff and Rikki Schlott, The Canceling of the American Mind, (New York NY: Simon & Schuster, 2023), 328.
[3] https://nypost.com/2021/11/27/how-my-84-year-old-dad-helped-me-see-the-folly-of-gen-z/
[4] Annabel Beerel, Rethinking Leadership: A Critique of Contemporary Theories (London, UK: Routledge, 2021), x.
[5] https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/dan-rather-documentary-cbs-firing-family-tribeca-1235634679/
[6] Greg Lukianoff and Rikki Schlott, The canceling of the American Mind, 31.
[7] Ibid., 315.
[8] Ibid., 91.
[9] Ibid., 18.
Additional reference:
https://www.tribecafilm.com/films/rather-2023
The documentary is not yet streaming
About the Author
Jenny Dooley
Jenny served as a missionary in Southeast Asia for 28 years. She currently resides in Gig Harbor, Washington, where she works as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Spiritual Director in private practice with her husband, Eric. Jenny loves to listen and behold the image of God in others. She enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her family which include 5 amazing adult children, 3 awesome sons-in-law, a beautiful daughter-in-law, and 8 delightful grandchildren.15 responses to “Is Cancel Culture Really New?”
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Hi Jenny,
I was reading Todd’s blogspot and at the end he started looking for times when “cancellation” might be have a new use as a tool for civil rights.
When I think about George Floyd, the anger and chaos that followed was difficult to watch. What did happen was a dialogue about police brutality and racism. I know that some police forces were unfunded (much to the detriment of the community), but the power of social media roused people to fight injustice. (Sigh, I may have taken this too far).
Anyway, for the Polanyi article I wrote, ”
Enter the Generation Y (30 somethings) and Z (20’s) . These generations, consume global information at a “staggering” pace. The consumer power they wield is tremendous and through the power of social media than can expose “industry dirty laundry” to millions of other consumers globally. These and future generations are intensely aware of climate change, work force conditions and other socially conscious issues which impact their purchasing choices – one power. The power of “cancellation” is the other power. An example comes to mind of the “transgender” blunder of Bud Light. Through the power of social media, Budweiser has taken a major financial hit as mainstream males disengaged from the cheap (and arguably bland) beer.
Lots to think about.
Selah…
Hi Russell,
Thanks for the response. I am looking forward to checking out Todd’s post. There is a lot to think about and one thing that concderns me is that cancel culture tactics can be used by anyone and against anyone for any reason, legitimate or not. The targeting of people while maintaining anonymity is what troubles me most. That anything can be said and through social media spread far and wide without any accountability for one’s actions is a dangerous social trend. Social media is a powerful tool for addressing social injustices, but I have to wonder when it is used with such anonymity and targeting individuals if we are even addressing the social issue at all. Is the end goal cancelling someone or addressing the injustice? I am wondering if there are other solutions to addressing these cancel culture tactics besides what FIRE has to offer. Any thoughts?
Alas,
I think my mind has moved on to the broader issues of my NPO and the next book.
I fear that Immigration might be on some peoples – cancellation list.
Shalom
Your stories from your own college days sparked a thought in me. Wouldn’t it be amazing if colleges and universities took the lead in fixing cancel culture instead of perpetrating it? One way I can imagine this happening is a required freshman course on “being tolerant and capable of listening and interacting respectfully with diverse perspectives” as you put it. I’m curious what it will take for universities (and culture in general) to figure out that this direction we’re going is not sustainable. And then, what will it look like when the pendulum swings the other direction?
Hi Kim,
Thank you for your response. I think your idea is brilliant! I would love to see colleges requiring a course on “being tolerant and capable of listening and interacting respectfully with diverse perspectives.” That is a class I would have happily taken. I was talking to my 35-year old daughter who graduated from a Christian university about this and said she realized fairly early on that to disagree might get her in trouble as a student so she felt silenced and left out of discussions too.
Jenny,
This is wonderfully written. I was in tears after reading the final paragraph. You are right, free speech is not free and comes a cost. I love that you offered Jesus as an example. Such a powerful reminder of how to follow and model with grace, courage and kindness. Thank you, my friend!!
Thank you, Jonita.
I think we forget that we have never been promised an easy journey. There will always be challenges, set backs, and unfair treatment. I love your words too as we are “to follow and model grace, courage, and kindness” just as Jesus did. Where is the place of redemption on both sides of the cancel culture aisle?
Great posts Jenny! The dynamic happening in colleges (like you described) has really got me thinking and entertaining the possibility of faith communities becoming the space for open ideas, honest dialogue, and healthy disputes. It could be that “third space” for both students and adults.
I agree with you on cancelling not being “new”. The motivation behind killing heretics and excommunication back in the day (still happening in some parts of the world) in all major religions was a way to censor folks who did not hold the “right views”. I think the book mentions that. Silencing, rather than, responding to the other side is the easy way out. I appreciate you showing the cycles of history!
Hi Adam,
I love your thoughts on the church as being a Third Space for open ideas, honest dialogue, and healthy disputes. I have gotten the impression that your church encourages these types of conversations and spaces. When have you seen that work well and where have the challenges arisen?
Cancel culture isn’t new, but maybe the way it gets expressed and so very publicly is different. I have to agree with the authors and from a mental health perspective that parents should hold off on exposing their kids to social media for as long as possible. I don’t know how many times I have prescribed to my adult clients to take a break from social media or get off of it altogether for the sake of their mental health. It scares me to think of how social media impacts a child’s mental health and self-esteem.
Thanks Jenny, the challenges we run across really come from people how hold a VERY black and white approach to their opinions, which they have the right to do. Some issues people can agree to disagree, but their have been some issues where staff or members have left because others, especially staff, held a different view that was a game changer for them. Our senior pastor has done a good job of developing a culture where very diverse viewpoints coexist. When healthy dialogue or doing life with others who are different happens over the years it truly is a beautiful thing. I think this is more of the kingdom of heaven in action!
Ahh social media. I have a 13 year old boy and 7 year old boy and I have heard this seems to affect girls a bit more, not saying it has no impact on guys. The book “The Coddling of the American Mind” speaks to this more than this weeks seemed to.
It has a section called Wise Kids. It recommends two hours per day at the most and monitoring what is being consumed. Most of the mental issues are comparisons with other kids or teens who seem to be perfect, have more, or project an idealized self causing “regular kids” to feel inadequate and insecure. Most of the material my kids consume (that I know of) revolves around gaming, music, and funny animal videos but we still have to constantly limit their screen time. We have noticed in general with adults (us!) and kids it’s addictive. Its also easy to just let your kids have a screen so we can have peace in the house! Nicole and I constantly have conversations around this topic and don’t have it figured out by any means.
I also think social media is a different animal than just having a screen. What are some of your biggest concerns with kids and social media?
Hi Adam,
Thanks for asking. Along with general safety issues with online platforms, the risks to vulnerable children and adolescents, easy access to porn and violent images, and the potential for addictive behaviors I am concerned about how kids learn to communicate and socialize with peers and adults. In person interactions and relationships are very different than online relationships. It seems that anything can be said online that maybe wouldn’t be said if the person was right in front of you. I have had a few too many kids tell me their most meaningful relationships are with people using social media, gaming platforms, and chat rooms in which they don’t actually know the real persons name, age etc. These kids end up pretty isolated. They also get some fairly skewed and rigid beliefs/ideas on a wide variety of topics because of social media “influencers.” I am currently working with some very alarmed parents.
Hi Jenny!
Thank you for your very enlightening post. I’m intrigued by your words. You wrote, “The truth is that free speech isn’t free. At least not for everyone. Using our voice to advocate an unpopular perspective can be costly. Free speech can be done with humility. And, just my opinion, I think cancel culture has been around for a long time. Jesus was canceled and yet His truth and teaching continue to spread. Free speech and standing up for what is right takes courage. Maybe we need better strategies for supporting one another and managing the consequences of free speech without silencing anyone in the process.”
Yes, I agree with you. However, how do you build an anti-canceller culture in the context of your ministry there? And what’s the biggest obstacle regarding the process?
Hi Dinka, Sorry I didn’t see this until this morning. Those are hard questions. In my context as a mental health counselor I hear a lot of different perspectives, some are pretty out there. I seek to understand. It’s not my job to change their opinion but to address the concern they bring. The case study on psychotherapy was alarming to me and I felt some of that in my training. I agree with the authors that it is wrong to use my position as a mental health counselor to “assist privileged and marginalized clients in unlearning their privilege and oppression.” I attend to their pain and challenges that come from those experiences. Showing empathy and grace, as well as modeling respect towards all people and speaking up in places in which it is appropriate are my best answers at the moment.
I wonder if there is good “canceling” and bad “canceling. Not that police departments should be unfunded, but less funded, and more resources to mental illness responders. I can think of a few cancelations I don’t think are a mistake, Not that their humanity get’s canceled but their power and platform get removed. It seems to me this idea just kept going and with social media too many have the power to take power now. That seems dangerous. What do you think?
Hi Jana, I agree that there are things in our culture that need to change or get cancelled. As for people, I have to wonder about natural consequences. Are cancel culture tactics natural consequences, particularly when allegations or accusations are false, unproven, and anonymous? I don’t think I have a good answer for your questions. I’m still thinking on it! 🙂