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Last night I dropped into a Clubhouse room by Conservatives & Republicans about cancel culture, and while we didn’t get to world peace by the end, it *was* a rare interaction where most people seemed to engage in good faith.
I woke up still processing some of the discussion.
I woke up still processing some of the discussion.
There was the typical navigating (without negotiating) what “cancel culture” even means to people, but the conversation was actually centered around corporate responsibility and “what CEOs should do about [X].”
But we also waded into how conservatives feel marginalized.
But we also waded into how conservatives feel marginalized.
I won’t hash that out because... 
But what was pointed out at one moment, was that folks on the right were talking about “freedom” and folks on the left were talking about “fairness/respecting someone else’s humanity.”
But what was pointed out at one moment, was that folks on the right were talking about “freedom” and folks on the left were talking about “fairness/respecting someone else’s humanity.”
I think we often see the different sides having different conversations at each other, but here’s where conservative/Republicans arguments always miss me:
Their most ardent beliefs depend on denying the humanity of other people. I refuse to engage in a convo from that place.
Their most ardent beliefs depend on denying the humanity of other people. I refuse to engage in a convo from that place.
So here’s where I’m at this morning: I’m tired of hashing out 31 flavors of slavery and oppression. Personally, I don’t want to spend time talking to right-wing people about that shit anymore.
Instead, I want to frame the convo around dignity.
Instead, I want to frame the convo around dignity.
Everyone is entitled to a dignified life.
If you can have it, then I should be able to have it.
If you can do it, then I should be able to do it.
The hard limit is where what you have/do is harming or exploiting other people, which should be acceptable for NO ONE.
If you can have it, then I should be able to have it.
If you can do it, then I should be able to do it.
The hard limit is where what you have/do is harming or exploiting other people, which should be acceptable for NO ONE.
And where there are obstacles preventing someone from enjoying the same freedoms and benefits of a dignified life as another, our society must prioritize removing it.
Now, a bit of a rant.
There’s a false equivalence that people on the right seem to believe about how THEY are marginalized and persecuted.
There’s a false equivalence that people on the right seem to believe about how THEY are marginalized and persecuted.
Conservatives and Republicans believe that their freedom should include impunity for holding onto ideas that hinge on harming others and the right to control other people from living with dignity.
NO.
Whether it’s in good or bad faith doesn’t really matter. The impact does.
NO.
Whether it’s in good or bad faith doesn’t really matter. The impact does.
There were a few moments where “hurt feelings” came up when casting people on the left.
I kept trying to drive home the point that it’s not really feelings that we’re concerned about.
It’s acknowledgment and respect that other people are also natural human beings with needs. https://twitter.com/mwlauthor/status/1358452999182549005
I kept trying to drive home the point that it’s not really feelings that we’re concerned about.
It’s acknowledgment and respect that other people are also natural human beings with needs. https://twitter.com/mwlauthor/status/1358452999182549005
Someone actually made an argument about being discriminated against using the phrase “coming out as a conservative Christian,” suggesting that it instantly makes someone a pariah.
I say, be whatever you are. But what you are shouldn’t seek to limit who I am.
I say, be whatever you are. But what you are shouldn’t seek to limit who I am.
What matters is not so much your religious idea or belief itself, but how it causes you to act.
Why does your religious freedom require you to limit the freedoms of another person who is not a threat to you?
Your actions are indicative of your judgement and respect for others.
Why does your religious freedom require you to limit the freedoms of another person who is not a threat to you?
Your actions are indicative of your judgement and respect for others.
Which brings us back to “cancel culture” — it’s not a boogeyman.
Shunning or casting people out is a natural human feature meant to correct harmful behaviors. We’ve always done it in some shape or form.
This is why I prefer the term accountability culture.
Shunning or casting people out is a natural human feature meant to correct harmful behaviors. We’ve always done it in some shape or form.
This is why I prefer the term accountability culture.
I believe in having pathways to redemption, but consequences for the harm done must come first.
