Todd Bishop
“This is not activism, it will not bring about change.” (That’s not activism. That’s not bringing about change.) Obama in Chicago and the 19-year-old black actress Yara Shahidi hosted a dialogue forum. The message is that today’s young people should not be taken away by online paranoia, nor should they cater to the “call-out culture” and “cancel culture” that social media brings.
Although Obama’s remarks received full applause at the time, he later provoked criticism from some people that he ignored people’s freedom of expression. What exactly is “call-out culture” and “cancel culture”?
At the youth summit held by his foundation, Obama expressed his views on the current participation of young people in social movements. He believes that young people who are mainly called and mobilized by the Internet have gradually formed a “call-out culture”. This culture has prompted netizens to oppose each other and return to the border, which is not conducive to the sound development of social movements.
What is call-out culture and cancel culture?
The so-called “call-out culture”, when someone (possibly a network red person or celebrity) publishes opinions that are not recognized by the public and contrary to the mainstream opinion, the opponents will use this single point of view to make slamming speeches and Boycott action.
Then, people who have been criticized by a large number of netizens may be “cancelled” by the mainstream society – meaning losing their past influence in society and job opportunities. For celebrities, it may be said that the wrong words are spoken, and the prestige established in the past is put to the bottom. Therefore, this is also called “cancel culture” on the Internet.
“The world is turbid and there are a lot of ambiguities.” “Some people who are really doing good things will have shortcomings.” Obama reminds young people in society that accepting nothing in the world is perfect and cannot be attached to others. “purity” in the point of view.
Obama’s view of the current young people’s enthusiasm for someone quickly sets the stage for a controversy, attributed to the role of social media in the youth movement. Many social media users only attack the opponents. It is a “very easy thing to do”, but it will not bring long-term results and will not help change society.
Tulsi Gabbard, a Democratic presidential primaries and a member of the House of Representatives representing Obama’s hometown of Hawaii, also promoted his political views by praising Obama’s remarks. “Please respect and care for others, don’t judge, don’t treat everything as black and white. I hope that you can join me in the spirit of aloha (spirit of aloha, Hawaiian, hope, love, peace, and Happiness and other meanings are brought into the White House.”
Another primaries, Andrew Yang, also praised Obama’s views on online speech on Twitter.
However, Obama’s remarks have provoked many people to criticize his allegations of “call-out culture” and “cancel culture”, depriving individuals of their freedom to express their opinions.
American pop culture writer Michael Arceneaux wrote in the British newspaper The Independent and disagreed with Obama’s criticism of “cancel culture.”
For example, in September, Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau’s “black-faced” scandal was accused of racial discrimination and caused netizens to vigorously attack. Although he was still unstoppable after his successful re-election in October, he was the first US official. The black president, Obama, endorsed him after Trudeau was elected. Michael Arceneaux thinks this is obviously unreasonable.
He sneered: “When a person (referring to Trudeau) does not even remember how many times he once painted a black face, but was backed by the first black president of the United States, “eliminating culture” is very important at this time.”
Toshiba TV host Tomi Lahren ridiculed Obama’s remarks, reminding her of the First Amendment to the US Constitution and the rights it gives us. The First Amendment guarantees American freedom of speech, publication, and religion. Tomi Lahren said that the idea of criticizing Obama is contrary to the right of citizens to freely express their opinions.
Although Obama’s remarks have provoked criticism, his views have enabled people to think clearly about what the core of the post on social media is.
This “cancel culture” is often a natural derivative of social networks. Due to the algorithm of social media, people with similar hobbies and political positions tend to walk together, and only see news and speech with similar positions, and disguise themselves in the furnace. Obama’s statement is not only to listen to the majority of Internet users, but also to warn the influential opinion leaders in social media to promote social movements with respect and rational exchanges and discussions.
Although Obama’s remarks have provoked criticism, his views have enabled people to think clearly about what the core of the post on social media is.
This “cancel culture” is often a natural derivative of social networks. Due to the algorithm of social media, people with similar hobbies and political positions tend to walk together, and only see news and speech with similar positions, and disguise themselves in the furnace. Obama’s statement is not only to listen to the majority of Internet users, but also to warn the influential opinion leaders in social media to promote social movements with respect and rational exchanges and discussions.
