The infamous debate resurfaces every time a content creator does something that's deemed controversial or terrible: is it still possible to enjoy the content this problematic person has produced? Or is their work forever tainted?
The rise of cancel culture has complicated the debate further. Cancel culture refers to withdrawing support from a public figure after they have said or done something offensive. Said withdrawal often extends to that person's works, as Tyler Joseph, the lead singer of Twenty One Pilots, recently experienced.
Fans have been pushing for the singer to advocate for the #BlackLivesMatter (BLM) movement since he has such a large platform, something that many celebrities, including the now teen-aged cast of It (2017), have experienced.
While most celebrities who haven't voluntarily spoken about the movement have remained silent, ostensibly to avoid being insensitive (or to avoid a scandal), Tyler responded with the following tweet.
Most people felt that the joke was in poor taste, especially since the movement is centered around serious social issues, but he initially doubled down on his decision, calling his tweet "fantastic". However, he must have gotten tired of the intense backlash, as he issued an apology later that day.
Needless to say, many found his apology lacking or even nonsensical: in what way was his pun about his boots raising awareness for another important issue? As a result of his insensitivity, several people have announced that they are canceling the band, with many former fans flocking to Tik Tok and other social media platforms to destroy their Twenty One Pilots merchandise.
But does his behavior really indicate that the band's music is inherently tainted and that listeners can no longer enjoy it?
Critical Thinking Can Stop the Momentum of Cancel Culture
While there is nothing wrong with withdrawing support from someone whose actions have hurt others, even simply by perpetuating offensive thoughts, we are quick to cancel people in the name of drama when they haven't done anything wrong. Several people have announced their cancelation of the cast of It (2017) since they haven't spoken about BLM, even though the teens aren't particularly outspoken about any social issues, and a few of them aren't even American.
In Tyler's case, he went out of his way to mock and offend his fans, as well as BLM supporters, and his apology does not feel genuine. That much is evident straight from the source: his Twitter. Whenever someone's getting canceled, it is important to consider all of the facts.
Even when the withdrawal of a creator's support is totally deserved, what about their content? Can their work still be enjoyed? Yes; critical thinking still applies here.
Acknowledging the Flaws of a Creator Regarding Their Content
Daniel Radcliffe weighed in on this issue in light of Harry Potter author, J.K. Rowling's, recent string of transphobic tweets. Many Potterheads expressed sorrow, stating they could no longer enjoy a series they once held a great deal of nostalgia for.
Radcliffe stated that "...if you found anything in these stories that resonated with you and helped you at any time in your life — then that is between you and the book that you read, and it is sacred." He emphasized that no one, not even the creator, can strip you of your own interpretation of and feelings surrounding a work. Read the rest of his statement here.
Also, it's possible to retain our interpretations and feelings about a work and acknowledge that some of the creator's flaws may have seeped into it. Recent fans of Harry Potter admire the world-building without hesitating to critique the hollow representation of the LGBTQ community, slavery, ethnic minorities, and AIDS.
Unfortunately, Rowling perceives continued support of the series as support for her transphobic agenda, and she actively uses her profits from Harry Potter to push for transphobic legislation in the UK. In this case, it's best to boycott official materials, and let's be honest: plenty of fanfiction authors have rewritten the series better, anyway, and their works can be accessed for free on fanfiction.net and archiveofourown.org.
No matter what happens in the realm of content creator scandals, don't get swept into the group-think momentum of cancel culture, but only you can decide if the creator's work is still worth your time or money.
#Media #BlackLivesMatter #BLM #CancelCulture #TwentyOnePilots #TylerJoseph #Twitter #JKRowling #transphobia #DanielRadcliffe #HarryPotter #NoahSchnapp #CriticalThinking