Tolerance for other people’s views and beliefs has completely disappeared in recent years even though social media and technology have allowed for more and more people to voice their opinions on controversial topics.

 Tech advancements are a major step for America since voicing one’s opinion was not always allowed in earlier centuries. Alas, instead of being grateful for this ability, our society has created a culture where one is blacklisted from society on account of sharing their opinion. This just isn’t right.

 According to  Myenglishpages.com, Cancel Culture refers to “a form of ostracism in which someone is thrust out of social or professional circles.”  I’m all for someone being punished for unethical or criminal behavior, but when someone is canceled for simply having a different belief than someone else or for making a mistake, then there’s a problem. 

There is a difference between disagreeing with someone and altogether canceling them. Canceling is just another form of bullying. 

One of my favorite quotes from American author and political commentator Thomas Sowell is: “The beauty of doing nothing is that you can do it perfectly. Only when you do something is it almost impossible to do it without mistake. Therefore people who are contributing nothing to society, except their constant criticisms, can feel both intellectually and morally superior.” 

This reflection from Sowell touches on how some people choose to criticize those with differing opinions, even when they themselves have little to no experience about that which they are discussing. This is not the case for every debate, but we now seem to live in a world where  keyboard warriors, who do nothing but criticize and hold in contempt those they disagree with, now have a platform, the internet, to do so. 

There is no longer a formal discussion when people have a disagreement nor intellectual debates over subjects. People don’t look up facts to back up their arguments anymore, they just listen to the masked man who sits behind a computer attacking those with whom he disagrees.

 Canceling someone has all sorts of repercussions that can ruin a person’s life. Losing a job, losing friends and getting kicked off of internet platforms are all extreme consequences that occur from being canceled. Only people who have committed extreme crimes deserve extreme consequences. 

The most important thing about America is that we have the freedom to speak our beliefs without prosecution. Our First Amendment right protects freedom of speech, the press and assembly, meaning that everyone has the right to voice their opinion no matter what it might be. 

I am in no way saying that people should not debate or disagree with someone, but our society should be better at being respectful. 

Our world has become too intolerant of others’ views. We need to learn morality and forgiveness instead of going to extremes when someone disagrees with someone or makes a mistake. Cancel Culture needs to be eliminated for a more peaceful and respectful society.