I do not believe cancel culture positively affects social change. Instead, it shifts the focus from the issue at hand to the person or company connected to it. Cancel culture has become a tool more for public shaming than for holding people accountable for their actions. Rather than addressing the root cause of the problem, cancel culture redirects the conversation to scrutinizing the individual or company connected to the issue. This approach detracts from the actual problem and sets up an environment of blame, shame, and guilt tripping that does little to bring about real change.

In documenting social issues and promoting change, it is important to keep the focus on the problem and the needed solution rather than fixating on canceling someone. While it may feel good to call out and cancel a person or a company, this does not necessarily hold them accountable or lead to the desired change. Instead, we need to address the root causes of the issue and push for systemic change. This will lead to more sustainable, lasting improvements and will enable us to create a society that is truly equal and just.

Check out the video below. I explain why I chose not to “expose” a venue that showed some racist micro-agression towards friends of mine. “Exposing” the venue would take the attention off the problem.