The Problem with Cancel Culture

"In Him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding."
 - Ephesians 1:7-8

Welcome back to my blog. It's been a minute since I wrote a post. You may be wondering what inspired a post after an almost 5 year hiatus. Well of course, the break in writing has to do with life "lifing" but there is also the matter of the trying to process everything that is transpiring around the world. It's all overwhelming, especially on social media. It can be so incredibly loud. Of late, my timeline has been filled with calls to cancel entertainers who have chosen to perform at President elect Donald Trump inauguration. These posts have made me grapple with the idea of " Cancel Culture" for the last few days.

While I understand the frustration people feel and the polarizing environment surrounding our upcoming President (trust, I have my own opinions to be shared at a later time), I can't help but see the contradiction of "cancelling" people for perceived bad decisions or shortcomings. Especially when it is coming from those who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ. In recent years the concept and implementation of "Cancel Culture" has become more pervasive. The Merriam Webster dictionary defines cancel culture as, "the practice or tendency of engaging in mass canceling (as a way of expressing disapproval and exerting social pressure." 

We mostly see this phenomenon applied to celebrity/public figures that do or say something that a majority of people find distasteful or goes against social norms. Our social media platforms are saturated with the call to cancel public figures or organizations. I understand the temptation and often want to join in the banter and cancellation of certain figures too. We often cancel others for wrongs we privately commit ourselves. For example, we have people calling for the cancellation of celebrities performing for the upcoming inauguration while using a social media platform (X) that is owned by someone who campaigned for Trump and has in influential position in his administration. You are cancelling individuals for performing for Trump but you are an avid consumer of a service ran by one of his top advisors. If we cancel people, can we hold ourselves to the same standard? Perhaps this contradictions exposes the flaw in cancel culture.

Cancel Culture is a tempting outlet for feelings for frustration and is often masked by a noble desire for some level of public justice or to right a perceived wrong - but in all actually what does it really do? More importantly, what message it is sending? I believe it tells the story of judgment and condemnation. The cancelled individual is not held accountable with love but rather plunged to account with rage which is not restorative or healing but rather perpetuates division and broken relationships. It does not provide a pathway for redemption or reconciliation. It also allows us to bury our flaws and shortcomings. 

As I navigate my world and the practicality of walking out each day my dependency on Christ only deepens. The older I get and the more life is throwing at me, I have a heightened awareness of where my help comes from. I am so thankful for His redemptive love that cleanses and forgive my failures and mistakes time and time again. It is counterintuitive to receive this love from Christ and not extend it to others. When we take a stance that someone can be cancelled we in effect open ourselves up to be cancelled too. If we are being real, who has not done something that is worthy of some form on cancellation? The great news is that God offers redemption and so should we. 

Let's be clear, redemption does not come without accountability and consequences. We can make each other accountable without the public shame and flogging. A part of being our brother's keeper is the hope that our neighbor, brother or sister can be kept. There must be hope for redemption, not by our might or their strength but because God provides that same hope for all of us. 

As the days wear on there will be opportunity to cancel loved ones and public figures we once admired. I hope before we "cancel" someone we take time time to lean into the love of Christ and show empathy and compassion. If you no longer want to support their business/service or need to create healthy boundaries that is fine. It's actually healthy. Let's create healthy boundaries and not hatred.  It is important to understand there is redemption available to all. Everyone finds themselves in a situation where they need it. No one is exempt including you.