3 Mindful Ways To Learn From Cancel Culture

First, we have to understand the basic assumptions that underlie “canceling”: X person has shown that they will not change their harmful behavior (often harming people with less power and influence than themselves). Therefore, the only recourse is to publicly shame them—a reaction that’s not unique to this age of internet. As we look to the dream of creating a more just, equitable world than we’ve ever lived in, grappling with this trend is surprisingly helpful. Because our feeling of personal okay-ness is innately tied to feeling we are liked and accepted by others, realizing that some aspects of how we show up in the world actually do harm others can be deeply painful. It might even feel like who you are has been canceled. Cue emotions of panic, denial, guilt, groundlessness. It’s a lot to process. But here’s the response part. You can accept all of those stormy emotions, honor them, and still not “cancel” yourself. In other words, don’t accept the belief that you yourself are beyond the ability to grow through this moment. As the visionary author and Afrofuturist Octavia E. Butler wrote, “The only lasting truth is Change.” Whatever critique you get, who you are is a person capable of resilience, learning, and aligning more deeply with compassion. That, friend, is the polar opposite of canceled.