The Space Age Oracle: Cancel Culture And Witch Trials Part 2
(Note: Essay could contain triggers for some)
There's been a controversy on TikTok and other media about a woman who made a video about being assaulted with a brick by a man because she refused to give her phone number, adding that a group of men stood by and watched without intervening. That's a story where details are still coming out, with many different views, so I won't try to summarize those. Those interested should research it, see the wide range of opinions, and decide for yourself.
However, I refer to it later in this essay because it's a good example of the difference between the legal system and social justice, which always contains the seeds of cancel culture.
The Internet didn't create cancel culture; it's always been around. All it's done is expand peer, village, or community control to a broader audience of like-minded people.
The social sphere is rarely controlled by law because it includes religion or control of social conduct. An extreme example would be in the old days when a man couldn't assault a woman in public, but if she was his wife, it was OK in private.
I'm talking about that grey zone between the law and social mores or customs, where Churches, political groups, or mobs can inflict punishments or apply pressure to enforce codes of behavior not covered by the law. That's a perfect "sweet spot" or breeding ground for witch hunts and cancel culture.
There won't be one single opinion that'll get somebody canceled or persecuted. You can credit the Internet for that; mass communication has made it possible to form virtual communities that can or will do what a medieval village did to a Karen, witch, or heretic for various reasons.
Also, the image of a witch hunt resulting in a burning at the stake is a simplification. In ancient times, the punishment for heresy and even witchcraft could range from a fine and penance, public shaming, shunning, torture, beating by a mob or no protection from it, enslavement, harassment, blackmail, exile, excommunication, and, of course, a public trial and hanging.
The Halloween type image of witches being tried and executed is popular for at least one reason: it distracts from the reality that a textbook witch hunt can target people for a variety of reasons, utilizes a large palette of procedures and punishments not covered by law, and often is an unvetted, exercise of power against an individual or smaller (weaker) group.
Regarding the argument raging on TikTok over the brick incident, that's not a witch hunt or canceling taking place (as yet). As they say, "Democracy isn't a beauty contest," and as long as there's open discourse, the First Amendment is working. It's healthy that all the points of view are expressed.
The same difference between the law and social behavior applies to the "brick" incident on social media like TikTok and mainstream media.
The law will look strictly at the charge of an assault on a woman. Many discussions will surround it, but the legal machinery will only be technically interested in whether the assault occurred and whether it was self-defense.
In the social sphere, the explanations will encompass a wide array of symbolism, political beliefs, feminism, traditionalism, bias, religion, racial politics, and conflicting theories governing male and female conduct.
The discussion can lead to canceling if the issue becomes a judgment on the victim and whether she deserved it. The law won't (or shouldn't) consider that. However, society can and sometimes will treat such an assault as just punishment and double down by adding blame, shame, and ostracizing her.
The sequence that leads to a witch hunt or canceling can be like an airline disaster, a series of more minor failures or problems that cascade into a crash. It can also occur when a mob forms, with known psychologies and types of personalities involved.
In Part 3, I'll talk about Modern Feminism and how witch hunts and cancel culture are common ways to attack it.
- A Handa
