Hot takes on cancel culture await you on the first episode of new podcast NYLON Manila VOICES—here are a few highlights!
Related: Introducing NYLON Manila VOICES, Your New Favorite Podcast
Cancel culture, or the prevalent culture of withdrawing support or denouncing, publicly shaming, and holding accountable people who have done something “wrong” in the eyes of the people has become one of the most divisive terms in modern society. What is supposed to be a way for people to hold other people accountable has become a catch-all term that means so many things to so many people. So, where exactly do we draw the line?
On the first episode of our newest podcast NYLON Manila VOICES, we talked about cancel culture and the concepts surrounding it—and we’ve got hot takes as well as some lessons we should all take into heart whether we’re the ones getting cancelled or the ones cancelling others (or if we just know someone experiencing being cancelled).
For the most part, cancel culture is an effort to hold people accountable for mistakes or ignorant words and actions. And for the most part, it works to invite reflection and even elicit apologies when needed. But public opinion also holds that cancel culture has gone way too far—we’re just canceling everybody now for the littlest things or mistakes, not giving them a chance to be heard out and change. The variability of cancelling in terms of how differently people perceive “wrongness” means it’s hard to pin down any productive effects (especially considering people who have done actual heinous acts or crimes are often still just living their lives without any consequences).
With content creator Janina Vela and Mind You PH psychologist Dr. Rea Villa, VOICES hosts Bianca Lao and Nica Glorioso talked all things cancel culture—because taking accountability and holding others accountable, as well as helping each other learn and grow, is something to keep in mind for all of us. Want to catch up on some highlights? We’ve laid down a few below—but make sure to catch the episode, out now on YouTube and Spotify!
ARE WE TOO OA SOMETIMES?
Popular sentiment about cancel culture is that we’re all being a bit too overdramatic about it. We cancel people for something they said ten, fifteen years ago, refusing to accept that they’ve changed since they were as young as they were.
Dr. Rea presents a question we should contemplate on when dealing with cancel culture: “Is the blaming or the canceling proportional to the concept?” Are we simply just acting on strong feelings? Which values are being compromised here?” Though cancelling seems ever-too-easy these days, it’s worth it to think about things a little more in depth and at length.
SOMETIMES YOU’RE WRONG
“Sometimes you make a mistake,” Janina said. “Sometimes they were right…to be called out [on something], maybe there’s some truth there.” Look, sometimes…people do need a wake-up call. Efforts of a cancellation can make a person more aware of the circumstances or situation, making them less ignorant. If you’re on that side of the table, it’s important to acknowledge that you could be wrong and do better next time—but it’s not good to do or say things (or not do or say them) just because you’re afraid to be cancelled.
SIT WITH YOURSELF
As a creator whose been in the game for a while, Janina Vela has faced some form of cancel culture and backlash, such as due to her political views a few years ago—but she bounced back in a way that’s admirable. She didn’t just do what plenty of people did (post a halfhearted Notes app apology)—she walked the talk, took up Political Science in Ateneo de Manila University, became an outspoken advocate, and always strived to be more socially aware and help wherever she can.
When someone gets cancelled, it’s all too easy for them to get on the defensive, without ever acknowledging why they might be in the wrong or why people might have reacted that way (“they’re just haters” is a weak analysis). Sitting with yourself, internalizing all the criticism, as Janina and Dr. Rea elaborate, and turning it into something good, whether that’s a well thought-out defense or an acknowledgement and apology, is a more helpful response.
“Sayang yung growth mo if you don’t actually listen and read between the lines of ‘maybe I did make a mistake here,'” Janina said.
RAR (REFLECT, ADAPT, BE RESILIENT)
We discovered an easily-memorable way to process a cancellation in our first episode—RAR! When you get cancelled, or feel like the world (AKA your friend group or the online community) is against you, practice RAR. First, reflect on your situation, on yourself, and your response. Then, adapt. Address the issue in appropriate ways—don’t just do Notes app apologies or dismiss it as bashing. Finally, be resilient—stand strong in your values, but don’t ever think you’re always in the right. Even if you’re wrong, you can still be strong and rise up from it all a better person.
DEPLATFORMING IS POWER
@nylonmanila What's another way to hold someone accountable? Deplatforming them. 🙅🏻♀️ On the first episode of NYLON Manila VOICES, Janina Vela gets real about how to deal with people who have done something problematic. 🤔 Listen to the full first episode of #NYLONManilaVOICES ♬ original sound – NYLON Manila
Another way to hold people accountable or to show you disapprove of their words or actions, especially if they’re a person with considerable influence, power, or following, is to simply unfollow, as Janina explained. Engaging with creators still gives them engagement, so unfollowing, blocking, and simply not giving them the platform will send them a clear message.
DON’T GIVE UP ON OTHERS
How do you navigate things when a friend, for instance, gets cancelled? Dr. Rea advises: practice active listening, minimize judgment, maintain perspective and empathy, and encourage accountability. “It’s good for them to know you’re still around,” Janina said. When her own creator friends are facing some backlash, she messages them, letting them know she stands by them when she knows what everyone is seeing online isn’t the full story. Showing support for those you know who might be facing some rough times might help set them on the right path.
“The most we can do is just help each other be better people,” Bianca added.
Want even more lessons and hot takes on cancel culture? Head on over to YouTube or Spotify to watch or listen to the first episode of NYLON Manila VOICES, out now!
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