On being #Cancelledt: “If you’re not going to help them… then shut your mouth”

by Elton Gagni / September 28, 2020

Social media has evolved from being a simple tool to build connections to a weapon for propaganda and misinformation. Because opinions are easily shared regardless of platform, netizens have adapted a new culture that blurs the lines between social justice and change and cyberbullying — the cancel culture.

The word “cancel” simply pertains to the stopping of an action. For a more relatable example, it’s unsubscribing to an on-demand service, thus canceling your subscription. But because of various movements across the globe, “cancelling” and “cancel culture” emerged and have been defined as having to do with the removal of support for public figures or companies because of their objectionable behavior or opinions.

As recent online conversations argue whether or not cancel culture should be cancelled, local podcast B2B: Breakfast to Business takes a stab at the topic with host Bea Lim and her guest, prominent social media figure Dora “Doracrybaby” Dorado. With insights and opinions resonating with many Filipino netizens, Dora established a following as he uses his platform not only to continuously drive conversations but also educate on what this newfound culture should and shouldn’t be.

In a nutshell, Dora sized up cancelling as a means of holding people accountable for their actions. He explained that being cancelled can be a free pass for discourse and an opportunity to learn, be educated, and be sensitive and aware of other opinions. However, Dora mentioned that what has been rampant lately is that cancel culture is being used to simply cyberbully and withdraw support from various public figures.

“We have to be more sensitive when it comes to actual people who have actual feelings [because] we never know what our words or actions can do to them. The safest thing to do is to unsubscribe. If you’re not going to help them, criticize them, and provide a solution then shut your mouth,” said the cancel culture advocate.

Unafraid of being #Cancelledt, Dora shared that he appreciates it when people take the intelligent route and engage in a discourse with him. While it creates room for learning and education, he also shared that it can also be used to rid people of the chance to grow and change. “We really don’t know the people we judge online. We only know them by the content that they post. [Thus,] becoming a tool for bullying and exclusion.”

As the B2B episode dives more into the discussion, Dora explained the rise of cancelling and why it has become rampant. “Cancel culture is a very easy way to be part of something progressive. When you’re the one cancelling someone, [you feel like] you’re doing something morally right and you’re claiming moral superiority. And it becomes fulfilling for you.”

Bea raised an important question on how someone can recover from being cancelled. “People can definitely change. For things like political stance or opinions on [certain topics], [these things can still be unlearned]. Don’t think that it’s a point of no return, being cancelled, because people can redeem themselves,” replied Dora. He likened the change to businesses that had bad service where after being cancelled, they learn from their mistakes and improve on their service. The same principle applies to people as well.

During the episode, Bea also echoed, “We want to be able to have a conversation, a discourse, an avenue where we actually help the other person grow versus just saying you’re done or you’re off the cheese.” Dora agreed and emphasized the value of being responsible for the content being posted online.

These are just some of the points raised during the cancel culture episode of B2B. Listen to Bea and Dora’s full conversation via the TeamAsia website, YouTube, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Apple Podcasts.

There certainly is value in keeping people, especially public figures, accountable for their actions, thus the need for the cancel culture. But, it is just as equally important to keep ourselves in check, evaluate the extent of our opinions’ impact, and be kinder to people who are in the wrong and help them grow and evolve. If you or someone you know has been #Cancelledt, remember Dora’s advice: Self-reflect, brush your hair, drink some water, lubricate.

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