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Why Judgment Disguised as Righteousness Divides Us
An aspect of judgment causing separation that I discuss frequently is the concept of cancel culture. Cancel culture is judgment disguised as righteousness. It happens when we collectively leave someone because they did something wrong, said something wrong, or embodied the wrong belief. The only response to what we feel as injustice is exile. What’s typically the reason for leaving this person behind? The removal of the bad will make the community safer and more just. We treat the person as a cancer, and removing it seems to be the right way to go. However, we find ourselves creating yet another hierarchy. This time it’s a moral hierarchy.
To cancel someone is to say that they are no longer like us. If Kendrick Lamar were to say it, “They Not Like Us.” By removing them from the collective, we purify our identity by acknowledging that our values do not align with the person we wish to exclude. By doing this, we gain a false sense of control over what appears to be chaos. As we label someone the villain, we can easily see ourselves as the hero, only because we maintain the opposite viewpoint. Not only did this person do wrong, but they also embody all the characteristics we fear in ourselves.
We should know by our own experience that life is complex. Yet, we don’t really consider these nuances when we talk about other people. Instead, we judge because judgment simplifies things. The complexities of life are reduced to a single moment and a single mistake. As we judge the mistakes of others, the connection we had with that person also dies. The human being who made the mistake dies to become only a symbol of wrongness.
The irony of cancel culture is that it is often necessary. We see ourselves as morally right. To prove our righteousness, we need someone else to falter. We almost seek out the mistakes so that we can feel better about ourselves. It’s one of the reasons why we enjoy reality TV. We seek the next person we can judge. It’s one of the reasons I struggle to find connection with others. The joy of connecting can lead to burnout because every interaction carries the risk of judgment. Instead of trusting each other, we censor, perform, and defend ourselves.
Questions and Responses
What exactly is cancel culture?
Cancel culture is the practice of collectively rejecting or “exiling” someone for their words, actions, or beliefs. It often comes from a place of moral judgment, where people believe removing the “wrongdoer” makes the community safer or more just.
Why do people participate in cancel culture?
People engage in cancel culture because it provides a sense of control and righteousness. By labeling someone as “bad,” it allows others to feel like the hero in contrast. It simplifies complex human mistakes into clear-cut judgments.
Is cancel culture always harmful?
Not always. Sometimes, calling out wrongdoing is necessary. However, the danger lies in dehumanizing people or reducing them to a single mistake rather than recognizing their complexity. This creates division instead of genuine accountability.
How does cancel culture affect connection and relationships?
Cancel culture erodes trust. People become afraid to be authentic, fearing they’ll be judged or excluded. This leads to more performance and self-censorship, weakening true human connection.
What’s the irony of cancel culture?
The irony is that cancel culture can make us feel more righteous, but it often comes at the cost of compassion. By judging others, we avoid facing the very flaws we fear in ourselves.
How can we move beyond cancel culture?
The first step is embracing nuance and compassion. Instead of exiling people, we can hold space for accountability while recognizing their humanity. This shifts the focus from judgment to growth and reconnection.