Cancel Culture

In an era of labeling others with names with negative connotations to simplify arguments and avoid debating an issue, the term Cancel Culture has been a common gauntlet thrown by the conservative right to wound the opposition.  This contemporary phrase is supposed to describe the indiscriminate ostracism of others for a transgression, real or perceived.  It has been most often used as a tool to level an otherwise unlevel playing field.  Boycotting a person or business by an aggrieved minority population was effective.

While the concept of “canceling” someone has been around for eons, it has only recently been used as a GOP whipping post.  They deride the “cancel culture” and use it as a means of denigrating those who use it as a tool.  The term “people who live in glass houses” comes to mind.  How often have you heard the right labeling someone “un-Christian” or “unpatriotic” to “cancel” that person without debating the true topic?  Let’s face it, both sides of the political spectrum use “canceling” as a tool, but the right has used its ambivalence to hypocrisy to declare it the exclusive domain of the left.

I will have to admit that some on the left side of the political equation have gone beyond rational thought by having sicked their ire on less important issues.  As a child, I watched as Pepé Le Pew pressed his amorous intentions on resistant females, but I doubt it warped my personality.

Millions of children, and a few adults, have enjoyed the series of Dr. Seuss's books but six titles were recently pulled from production due to insensitive depictions of Asian and Black characters.  Likewise, Disney’s Dumbo, Peter Pan, Swiss Family Robinson, and The Aristocats will be pulled as unsuitable for the under-7 crowd for perceived slights.  In Dumbo the singing crows were likened to minstrel performers.  I watched Dumbo as a child and I couldn't have told you what a minstrel was, these were just singing crows.

In other venues, perhaps it was time to retire brands like Aunt Jemima and Uncle Ben’s.  These brands and logos go back to the 19th century and did advance racial stereotypes.  On a more positive note, Nancy Green, Agnes Moody, Lillian Richard, Anna Robinson, Rosa Washington, Anna Short Harrington, Edith Wilson, Ethel Harper, Rosie Lee Moore Hall, and Aylene Lewis were hired as some of the first Black corporate spokespersons.  

On the flip side of the recent rebranding, descendants of models Lillian Richard and Anna Short Harrington had another thought.  Vera Harris of Richard’s family said "I wish we would take a breath and not just get rid of everything.  Because good or bad, it is our history."  Lillian Richard has a historical marker dedicated to her in Hawkins, Texas that is capitalizing on her fame as the “Pancake Capital of Texas.”

The cancel culture exists now and has been with us for a very long time.  It can be an important tool when needed but its' indiscriminate use should be avoided.  We have much to worry about in this world, we just need to focus on the most important ones.  Cancel, shame, boycott, or otherwise level the playing field when necessary but perhaps we should let a cartoon skunk flirt a little, within reason.  A quick note to Disney, maybe you could get Donald a pair of pants before he too becomes a pariah.