{"id":13372,"date":"2023-03-05T08:30:50","date_gmt":"2023-03-05T13:30:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/intramuralist.com\/?p=13372"},"modified":"2023-03-05T08:34:17","modified_gmt":"2023-03-05T13:34:17","slug":"ostracize-boycott-shun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/intramuralist.com\/?p=13372","title":{"rendered":"ostracize, boycott & shun"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Every now and then I read an editorial that soundly fits in that \u201cThings That Make You Go Hmmmm\u201d category. Last week, author Ernest Owens contributed one to Rolling Stone<\/em> magazine. It\u2019s an excerpt from his upcoming book. The title of the editorial? \u201cWhy Cancel Culture Is Good For Democracy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To be ensure we are all on the same page in regard to what cancel culture actually is, allow us to briefly identify cancel culture as \u201ca phenomenon in which those who are deemed to have acted or spoken in an unacceptable manner are ostracized, boycotted or shunned.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No doubt a key action word in the definition is to \u201cdeem,\u201d which would mean to \u201cregard or consider in a specified way.\u201d That equates to a subjective analysis \u2014 thereby, not fact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Owens premise is fairly simple, no less. He feels that cancel culture has gotten a bad rap. He acknowledges that our behavior and\/or expressions may be met by \u201can angry mob instantly judging us,\u201d but he suggests that the idea has been \u201cmisconstrued.\u201d Rather than an act worthy of contempt, Owens argues that such is a necessary tool to curb unchecked free speech. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He contends that cancel culture provides the accountability \u2014 specifically, the kind of accountability \u201cbigots\u201d desire to avoid. In fact, he insists those who are anti-this \u201cdemocratic tool\u201d are actually not attempting to ensure there is no suppression of speech, but rather, they are fearful of said accountability. Free speech absent attempts to cancel insulates the bigot, allowing him\/her \u201cto fuel disgusting rhetoric without state-sanctioned consequence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s an interesting thought. He feels someone must <\/em>shut others down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I do appreciate how Owens\u2019 stated motive seems to be to look out for the \u201clittle guy,\u201d so-to-speak. I thought that when initially reading through \u2014 that is, until he utilized Meghan Markle as his chosen example of someone whose vocal critics were justified in being shut down. With all due respect to the Duchess, my semi-keen sense is she isn\u2019t exactly known for being the most exemplary example these days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Owens continues. He argues critics of the approach are wrong\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c\u2026 Despite how critics have tried to represent it, cancel culture is not cyberbullying or doxing. Cancel culture gives us the chance to engage in new and exciting ways\u2014civically, culturally, and politically\u201d\u2026 that is, even though cyberbullying and doxing are utilized devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ok, I admit \u2014 I\u2019m back to the things that make me go hmmmm. This so-called \u201ctool\u201d utilizes the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

to ostracize –<\/strong> meaning \u201cto exclude, by general consent, from society, friendship, conversation, privileges, etc.; to banish (a person).\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

to boycott –<\/strong> meaning \u201cto combine in abstaining from, or preventing dealings with, as a means of intimidation or coercion.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

to shun –<\/strong> meaning \u201cto keep away from (a place, person, object, etc.), from motives of dislike, caution, etc.; take pains to avoid.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In other words, let\u2019s acknowledge what cancel culture does not <\/em>utilize\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It does not utilize respect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It does not embrace loving your neighbor as yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And it certainly does not know or acknowledge the incredibly powerful, personal process of apology, forgiveness and repentance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It, therefore, sadly, does not model what is good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I indeed appreciate the stated desire that bigotry would cease. I also, though, will never believe that two wrongs will someday make things right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So when Owens wonders aloud, “What could we change in the world if we used cancel culture as the tool that it is,\u201d my thoughts go elsewhere. It makes me cringe, wondering in response what more damage will we justify? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We can\u2019t omit respect, loving our neighbor (no matter who they are), nor circumvent the repentance process. Any attempt to do so will indeed make far more than me go \u201chmmmm.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Respectfully\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Every now and then I read an editorial that soundly fits in that \u201cThings That Make You Go Hmmmm\u201d category. Last week, author Ernest Owens contributed one to Rolling Stone magazine. It\u2019s an excerpt from his upcoming book. The title of the editorial? \u201cWhy Cancel Culture Is Good For Democracy.\u201d To be ensure we are … <\/p>\n

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