Your Whining About Cancel Culture Rings Hollow — Here’s Why

Those who oppose social stigma for offensive behavior rarely offer alternatives, because they really don’t mind the bigotry

Image by Antonio Guillem, Shutterstock, Standard license purchased by author.

I’m not a fan of cancel culture. For most people who say or do foul things, including those that are racist, sexist, homophobic, anti-Semitic, or in any way injurious, I believe in the capacity for redemption.

As someone who has met with death row inmates and believes that even most violent offenders are capable of change, I have to assume the same is true of bigots and assorted idiots who say all manner of stupidity on social media or a message board.

If a murderer is capable of redemption, some pasty, unbathed, zit-popping, Cheetle-fingered Adderall fiend spewing hate to fellow gamers on a Discord server probably is too.

And except for cops, judges, teachers, doctors, and other medical professionals, whose bigotry can overly determine other people’s life outcomes (or those with extremely large influence and followings like politicians and media personalities), I don’t think folks deserve to have their careers wrecked over something they said.

For most people, a bit of exposure and a brief period of public rebuke will suffice, and a chance…