Cancel Culture has been a buzzword for the last decade. It is a massive exodus, an about-face, a retraction of support when the masses do not agree with an individual’s comment, behavior, or stance regarding potentially “controversial” subjects. Some of the most recent celebrities to be “canceled” are Ellen DeGeneres, Justin Timberlake, Ashton Kutcher, and Mila Kunis may be added to the list in no time.
In my opinion, some “cancels” are warranted, but some can be simply canceled due to improper behavior in public (or so they say), such as James Corden losing his temper with restaurant staff. I am sure none of us have ever done such a thing. Hey, I wasn’t there, so I am only privy to so much of the inside scoop, so maybe this has become a consistent behavior for him, and as they say in baseball, “You’re out!” I dunno. However, I do not consider the reasons to cancel James in the same bowl of soup as canceling Harvey Weinstein. Chrissy Teigen—don’t get me started!
I am all for doing the right thing and banding together in solidarity to “cancel” horrific people like R. Kelly or standing up for human rights when someone disses another’s religion or sexual preference. Stay in your own lane, man. Why is there so much judgment towards others? My answer? They’re bored.
So before I go further, I support standing up for right or wrong, in case you are unclear. But I am also an advocate for “block” and move on. Don’t leave a comment. Don’t address the haters. Leave the trolls swirling around in the murky water under a bridge. Unfortunately, blocking cannot be compared to being canceled. Most trolls just pivot to another poor soul.
There will always be trolls and people who have nothing better to do than create Catfish profiles to become keyboard super villains pounding out hateful words deep into the midnight hour. Hurt people, hurt people. Right?!
Admittedly, I have become the Block Queen of America. I have no problem finding those three little dots on any social media platform, heading to the privacy setting, and hitting BLOCK. As a side note, I have also blocked real people from my life. Sometimes, you just have to whiteout some evil-doers.
Since I started my TikTok channel three years ago, I have been exposed to more trolling and hate comments—mine and those I follow. I encourage others to completely ignore them and head to the ellipses. And block. I no longer address any of them.
So, while I support the Cancel Culture on significant issues, I ask you to consider being big boys and girls and ramping up the block strategy when someone misbehaves. Take the high road. Trolls and haters are blood-suckers waiting to tick you off just before they close their eyes each night, anxiously waiting to rise with the sun and start all over again. Do not feed into their cravings. Just hit block. And if they come back…go on repeat. Block again.
Where attention goes, energy flows. Focus on the good. You do you, Boo. Do not feed into their frenzy, and you, too, may become the Block King or Queen.
