Tasks: Cancel Culture

On social media the debate can get heated and insults may start flying. Below is a list of some common words that are often bandied about to devalue the opinion of others.

Do you know what they mean? Discuss with a partner. If neither of you know, look the word up and find out.

• woke
• snowflake
• troll
• bot
• gammon
• millenial

Work with partners and talk about the following questions.

1. What do we mean by cancel culture?
2. How do you think people were punished when they "transgressed the public sense of right and wrong" in the past? For example in the Middle Ages, the 19th century, or the 1960s?
3. Describe ways in which cancel culture is postive and ways in which it is negative.
4. Is political correctness a good thing?
5. Explain what deplatforming is and consider if deplatforming is an attack on freedom of expression.
6. What do you know about #Metoo?
7. Is it OK to ban books from schools if they contain words, phrases or actions that some may find offensive?
8. Does cancel culture limit freedom of expression?

Below you see the illustration used in the article Cancel Culture. Look at the picture, then answer the questions.

What message does the illustration have?

What devices are used to communicate the message?

Do you think the illustration suited the content of the article Cancel Culture? Give reasons for your answer.

Below you find a list of phrases that are considered politically incorrect by some. Discuss with a partner, and write down your answers to the questions.

1. Suggest reasons why the phrases are regarded as politically incorrect.
2. Try to think of at least five other words or phrases that are in common usage, but which you feel are politically incorrect.
   
   

• No can do
  
• Man up
  
• Grow a pair
  
• Long time no see
  
• Mother tongue
  
• Illegal alien
  
• Lame joke
  

Use the internet to find answers to the following tasks. Share your answers in a group. Remember to give reasons for your opinions.

1. Find two examples of books that you are familiar with that have been banned from schools in the United States. What were the reasons given for banning the books? Do you agree with the decision to ban the books?
2. Find two examples of ordinary people (not celebrities) who have been cancelled on social media. Explain what happened and consider if you think what happened to them was fair.
3. Find two examples of celebrities who have been cancelled. Explain what happened, and find out what consequences being cancelled had for the person's career.
4. Find two examples of people who have been deplatformed. Explain what happened, and consider if you agree with the decision to deny them an audience.

Pick one of the tasks, do research, and then write a five paragraph discussion essay about the topic. Remember to include a source list.

1. In 2020, author of the Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling, faced criticism after she made several statements that were perceived as transphobic. Find out what J.K. Rowling said that was so controversial and what consequences the statements had for her. Discuss if cancel culture has the power to silence the world's most popular author.
2. Find at least two examples of #Metoo from Norway. Explain the basic facts of the cases, and discuss whether it is OK for people to be accused of sexual misconduct or rape on social media.
3. Is #Metoo part of cancel culture, or should it be regarded as something different? Discuss the question. Refer to examples where you can.
4. Sometimes ordinary people are caught doing something wrong, for example on a video that goes viral. These people can then experience public shaming and calls for punishment. Find examples of ordinary people who have been cancelled, and discuss if it is right or wrong that ordinary people get punished in this way.
5. Is cancel culture an attack on freedom of expression? Discuss this question, referring to examples.
6. Is deplatforming a violation of the human right to free spech? Discuss the question, referring to examples.