We must stamp out vile cancel culture
How many others, like me, are feeling confused and frustrated about just what we can and can’t say in public these days? Are we even allowed to have an opinion?
I had this debate with a few friends recently. I was telling them a funny story about my mum, and I did it in an Asian accent to mimic the way she talks.
We all laughed and laughed, and when we finally wiped away our tears, one of my friends said: “You know, it’s a shame you can’t tell that story on your social media, but you’d be chastised for doing that accent and there’d be calls for you to be cancelled.”
Well, that got us all animated about the perils of trying not to “offend”. My pals are all smart, caring and hardworking. Most are mothers trying to raise good kids who respect and care for others.
But, at the same time, we’re teaching them to stand up for themselves, to have an opinion, to learn to debate so that they can see another’s point of view.
However, we all agreed that “cancel culture” is making this very difficult.
Even when I was on Loose Women, there would be certain subjects on which we’d have a really good debate – but behind closed doors. Away from the cameras, you got to know the real opinions of the other panellists.
But before going live on TV, they would say: “Well, I obviously won’t say that on camera because I know I’ll get trolled.”
The whole reason I joined a debate and opinion show was to share my views and be prepared for others to disagree. I would then try to win them round.
But, in the end, the show became too bland – with a fear of offending rather than feeling confident to have an opinion.
What I don’t understand about those wanting to “cancel” people on public platforms is who decides which opinion deserves to be heard and which does not.
JK Rowling and broadcaster Jenni Murray have both been victims of cancel culture because of their opinions on transgender issues. I have differing views on the subject but I would never wish to troll these women, end their careers or humiliate them.
Why are so many people scared of feeling offended or even looking to be offended?
I lost nearly 800 followers because I stated on my Instagram that if you can’t afford something, instead of getting bitter at others who can, focus on the choices you have – save up, buy secondhand, buy cheaper or go without. But it appears that kind of straighttalking offends.
I’m okay with losing followers because they don’t hold the same beliefs as me. But I’m not okay with being abused.
Aaron Rose, a corporate diversity and inclusion consultant who used to identify with progressives who participate in cancel culture, says he’s now focused on objectives like “conflict transformation”. I support him when he says he now wants to “create more stories of transformation rather than stories of punishment and excommunication”.
We must never fear opinions, but we should fear a society that fears opinions.
Rage against the trolls, not people who share views