Cancel Culture, and Bari Weiss’ resignation for the NYT, explained
*Disclaimer, this article was written in the summer of 2020, so some facts may be outdated. Otherwise, enjoy!*
In 2017, after the inauguration of Donald J. Trump, The New York Times (NYT) realized their reporting was disconnected from their readers. In an attempt to better represent and understand their current consumers, as well as extend their influence beyond their normal base of buyers, they hired several people to help diversify the coverage of the NYT.
One of those people was Bari Weiss, an American writer, and editor, who was hired along with dozens of others, to help diversify the paper. However, she resigned from The New York Times on July 14th of this year, continuing conversations around the world about cancel culture. Cancel culture is a way of which has become popularized as a way to shame or ignore someone for their beliefs and/or ideas.
(Cosmos, 2019)
In her resignation letter, Weiss stated that she “joined the paper with gratitude and optimism” and that the reason behind her hiring was clear; “The paper’s failure to anticipate the outcome of the 2016 election meant that it didn’t have a firm grasp of the country it covers.”. She also brought up ‘cancel culture’ and mentions that “Stories are chosen and told in a way to satisfy the narrowest of audiences” rather than presenting the facts of a story, and letting their audience draw their own conclusions. In her opinion, the Times had a clear agenda, that had shared political beliefs of a small group of people, rather than of the country they serve and cover.
Although the idea was there, it seemed that many of her colleagues were not on board with efforts to diversify the paper. Weiss says her co-workers called her a “Nazi and a racist” and editors would “regularly weigh in” on her work. In addition, the former editor says that some colleagues of hers “insist I need to be rooted out if this company is to be a truly “inclusive” one”, which is both incredibly hypocritical, and counterproductive. Weiss continues to hope that such co-workers face consequences, but her faith in that outcome is dwindling. Weiss argued that “Showing up for work as a centrist at an American newspaper should not require bravery” and continues to express her concern and lack of understanding for how a company would allow this kind of behavior “… in full view of the paper’s entire staff and the public”.
Around halfway through her resignation letter, Weiss states that “Online venom is excused so long as it is directed at the proper targets” which is exactly what is so problematic with the now popularized ‘cancel culture’. Cancel culture normalizes discrediting someone based on one or more ‘socially unacceptable’ acts and allows people to deem someone non-inclusive often without explaining why. This normalized practice justifies shoving other thoughts or beliefs aside and has become a danger to many people. It even poses a danger to democracies around the world. This is because if, hypothetically, the ‘yellow party’ in the government, disagrees with the ‘green party’, the yellow side could easily ‘cancel’ their opponent and suppress their opinions and ideas. Without diversity in opinion, democracies aren’t able to function properly as many people may not be represented or advocated for through the government.
However, even though many of the fundamental parts of cancel culture are arguably dangerous to democracy, the very basic idea of it, is valid. Calling someone out for not being inclusive is a completely normal practice, which many of us experience in our everyday lives. If someone we know makes a racist comment, we will call them out for it, with no debate.
For example, on Twitter, J.K. Rowling responded to an article explaining how we can make the world a better place for people who menstruate (screenshot linked below). Rowling tweeted; “ ‘People who menstruate.’ I’m sure there used to be a word for those people. Someone help me out. Wumben? Wimpund? Woomud?”. When stating ‘people who menstruate’ in the article, the authors are purposely using terminology that is inclusive of transgender, non-binary, and third-gender individuals. Rowling openly criticizes the use of that phrase by suggesting a word for “those people”, referring to solely women. When the public realized the underlying transphobia of this tweet, people began educating themselves and others as well as calling out similar behavior. After being ‘canceled’, many began criticizing this new culture for not being inclusive of other opinions and ideas.
(Twitter, 2020)
However, there is a line between bigotry and differing opinions and ideas, which has become vaguer than ever due to this new culture. By ignoring the fact that transgender, non-binary and third-gender people menstruate, Rowling is openly discriminating against them, denying and invalidating the reality of a biological function that they experience. By not accepting and invalidating someone simply because they don’t identify with their sex assigned at birth, she is being prejudiced. Cancel culture is terribly for democracy but it has allowed people to point out bigotry and discrimination.
‘Cancelling’ someone is dangerous simply because it promotes one set of values, without listening to any other opinion. Not allowing someone to express their views and opinions can be seen as oppression or just not being inclusive, which just makes cancel culture completely counterproductive. Rather than publically shaming people online, try to have an honest conversation with them and explain why their actions are considered rude or inappropriate.
Information citations
Bari Weiss. 2020. Resignation Letter — Bari Weiss. [online] Available at: <https://www.bariweiss.com/resignation-letter> [Accessed 8 October 2020].
Image citations
Cosmos, G., 2019. When It Comes To Young-Adult Novels, What, Precisely, Is The Difference Between The Marketplace Of Ideas And A Twitter Mob?. [image] Available at: <https://www.newyorker.com/books/under-review/in-ya-where-is-the-line-between-criticism-and-cancel-culture> [Accessed 8 October 2020].
Ho, S., 2019. From Bill Cosby To James Charles: The Double-Edged Sword Of Cancel Culture. [online] NBC News. Available at: <https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/viral/deep-reckoning-or-fleeting-outrage-cancel-culture-s-complexity-proves-n1031466> [Accessed 8 October 2020].