The Macquarie Dictionary Word of the Year 2019 is 'cancel culture'. The question is what on earth does it mean? One variant is "it describes a form of boycott in which the called-out person is also thrust out of social or professional circles - either on social media or in the real world or both". They are said to be "cancelled." It is said with an element of arrogance. An expression used for those of English descent is to 'send someone to Coventry. It means to deliberately ostracize someone. Typically, this is done by not talking to them, avoiding their company, and acting as if they no longer exist. Victims are treated as though they are completely invisible and inaudible. As someone born in Southern Africa there was a method of cancelling someone called necklacing. Necklacing means putting a car tyre around a person's neck and arms (like a necklace), dousing it with petrol and setting it on fire. The traitor died a horrific death. This is an extreme example but sometimes the effects of the more 'sophisticated and modern' way of cancelling people socially can have devastating and similar results. For the social media mob 'cancelling' a person as a 'friend' happens way too easily especially as a form of bullying and exclusion. We know these actions can cause suicide in teenagers as reported in the press. The interesting thing about the cancel culture is that it occurs amongst all ages groups. For example baby boomers, generally known for their politeness, are getting 'woke' in this regard and are taking to 'cancelling' people. Friends and colleagues are doing exactly as the definition indicates ...thrusting them out of social or real world communication and contact. Knowing the dark side of human nature, this is not really surprising, but when it happens it is still difficult to navigate. It is worth reminding readers that nearly half of all suicides in Australia are in the age group 35 - 64. May I humbly suggest that everyone and especially the older group take the duty of care concept a bit more seriously, and return to decency and respect. Really is it worth ostracising people because you may not agree fully with their views or actions? This is a wakeup call. Give them a call this festive season and say howdy. It is really quite easy. Nick Beale is a Ballarat transport advocate
The Macquarie Dictionary Word of the Year 2019 is 'cancel culture'.
The question is what on earth does it mean? One variant is "it describes a form of boycott in which the called-out person is also thrust out of social or professional circles - either on social media or in the real world or both".
They are said to be "cancelled."
It is said with an element of arrogance.
An expression used for those of English descent is to 'send someone to Coventry. It means to deliberately ostracize someone. Typically, this is done by not talking to them, avoiding their company, and acting as if they no longer exist. Victims are treated as though they are completely invisible and inaudible.
As someone born in Southern Africa there was a method of cancelling someone called necklacing. Necklacing means putting a car tyre around a person's neck and arms (like a necklace), dousing it with petrol and setting it on fire. The traitor died a horrific death. This is an extreme example but sometimes the effects of the more 'sophisticated and modern' way of cancelling people socially can have devastating and similar results.
For the social media mob 'cancelling' a person as a 'friend' happens way too easily especially as a form of bullying and exclusion. We know these actions can cause suicide in teenagers as reported in the press.
The interesting thing about the cancel culture is that it occurs amongst all ages groups. For example baby boomers, generally known for their politeness, are getting 'woke' in this regard and are taking to 'cancelling' people. Friends and colleagues are doing exactly as the definition indicates ...thrusting them out of social or real world communication and contact.
Knowing the dark side of human nature, this is not really surprising, but when it happens it is still difficult to navigate. It is worth reminding readers that nearly half of all suicides in Australia are in the age group 35 - 64.
May I humbly suggest that everyone and especially the older group take the duty of care concept a bit more seriously, and return to decency and respect. Really is it worth ostracising people because you may not agree fully with their views or actions?
This is a wakeup call.
Give them a call this festive season and say howdy.
