(Artistically, anyway)
Saw some disheartening comments in a post by a fellow author (I’ll just say Duncan R, 99% of you’ll be able to figure it out—and go buy his books, they’re great), regarding cancel Cultism. Sadly, some folks think it’s the state someone lives, and not the actions of the groupthinkers.
Pffft.
Recall how many artists/creators the state of CA has canceled. Or, how Tipper Gore nearly derailed the entire rap industry in its infancy using her hubby’s power when she ran the fascist PMRC. They took away the ability for you to view album covers, or buy records they deemed ‘problematic’ (among other euphemisms), sealing record sleeves and CD covers with their own logo because they were proud of that control, and wanted to stick it in your face every chance they got, while crushing indie record stores and bringing chains to their knees by silencing artists.
Stop knee-jerking about the non-important piece of the issue you can twist, and recognize: you don’t wanna support somebody for your personal reason? Great, speak with your wallet. But you grab a pitchfork and torch so you can go running up the mountainside with your hateful fellow villagers, it’s you who are supporting fascism and demanding control over others. I’ll never support Neil Young again after what he tried to use his power for to impact Joe Rogan—a guy simply talking about his personal health issues on his program, though I was a lifelong fan. My call on what I’ll spend money on. But you won’t see me calling for boycotts or demanding others attempt to impact an artist’s career.
It’s one thing to laugh about someone tanking b/c of their actions. But short of criminal conduct/convictions, if you can’t recognize how much a part you play? You probably aren’t bright enough to be enjoying the work of the creators/performers you’re being divisive over. #EndCancelCulture
