Unpacking Cancel Culture and the Problematics of Shaming and Exiling People from the Tribe

Let's speak about Cancel Culture.  This cultural phenomenon where individuals deemed to have acted or spoken in an unacceptable manner are ostracised, boycotted, shunned, fired, shamed, or exiled from the tribe.

During today's episode, Demi Lee and Anna-Maria unpack the nuances of cancel culture and the ways in which shaming and cancelling people out often doesn't leave much room or encouragement for healthy dialogue, growth, respite, or reflection. 

Moreover, cancelling people instead of engaging with them in meaningful conversation prevents us from engaging with different perspectives which could potentially offer valuable insights into our own views — a crucial part of growing both as individuals as well as societies at large. When we engage in cancel culture we are sending the message that punishment trumps progress; that silencing someone is better than engaging with them constructively.

People deserve space to evolve. To make mistakes. To behave from their wounding and to be 'wrong' from time to time. This is an intrinsic part of how we emotionally evolve as humans. However we can only do this when there is safety, an opening, and a calling people 'in' instead of 'out'.

In this conversation, Demi Lee and Annamaria discuss how we can hold people accountable without cancelling them out. They discuss the importance of revillaging and what it means to offer spaces where people can unpack the nuances of their behavior without feeling shamed or punished for it through fear, bullying, intimidation, or publicly ostracising.

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