Dr. 唐纳德·厄尔·柯林斯 was our third 保利连接 speaker when he spoke to Grades 7-12 students on April 22 about “cancel culture” and his recent article, “The Fake and the Real in American Culture.他也是《 Fear of a “Black” America: Multiculturalism and the African American Experience and a freelance writer and historian who has written on the topics of multiculturalism, 教育改革, 比赛, and the history of African American and American identity.

Dr. 柯林斯 referenced the case of Alexi McCammond, who had to resign from the position as editor-in-chief of 《Teen Vogue》 just days before she was to begin running the magazine because of Anti-Asian tweets from 2011-12. Dr. 柯林斯 talked about what constitutes a real apology and acknowledging that what one did is wrong.

“Cancel is overused in the way that ‘woke” is overused.”

Dr. 柯林斯 explained that “cancel comes out of the Black culture” going back to the music of the 1970s and 1980s. 在美国.S., 他说, 因为种族主义, “millions of people are cancelled” before they have a chance to live their lives. 

He also cited Clyde McGrady’s article in 华盛顿邮报, “The Strange Journey of ‘Cancel’ from a Black-culture Punchline to a White-grievance Watchword.”

Q & 与医生的对话. 柯林斯

学生 from AP US Government and Politics moderated a Q & A和Dr. 柯林斯接着他的演讲.

Dr. 柯林斯说 the term is “overused and the meaning has been twisted.” He explained, “It is not about replacing anything.” It should be about “holding people accountable,” 他说.

“这要看情况而定。. 柯林斯. He said that it may have been different if Alexi McCammond “was 37 and had apologized and had more experience” for her job. 学生 asked if a change in behavior would cancel out past bad behavior. “没有放之四海而皆准的方法。. 柯林斯说.

“The number one way to redeem yourself is just apologize,” Dr. 柯林斯说. He said that Americans have a culture in which they don’t want to say “sorry.” He reiterated that people need to learn from their mistakes and “take responsibility” for what they do.

“是的。. 柯林斯. “Political correctness is disingenuous.” He cited the example of a sports shoe manufacturer that airs “progressive commercials,” but behind the scenes may have unfair contracts with athletes, 谁在做广告.

再一次。, he stressed the importance of taking responsibility and the use of language that makes people sound “lesser than.”

“是的,”Dr. 柯林斯说. “它放大了一切.” He compared protest culture now to that of years ago and how a protest is organized in a flash now, but might have depended on word of mouth or TV in the past. As for regulating social media, 他说, “You can’t really regulate it. 你只能大声说出来.”

In response to a final question about redirecting power, Dr. 柯林斯说, “You would have to have power to begin with.” He said a better question would be why “the culture is so narcissistic.” He admonished the students to “Keep your voices out there. 这是一项“全员参与”的努力.

十大网堵平台演讲的思考

之后, 马科斯·佩雷斯23岁 谈到保利连接活动时说, “My perception and understanding of ‘cancel culture’ was definitely a lot more refined after hearing Dr. 柯林斯. I myself identify as a democratic socialist and I hear the phrase be used heavily to undermine accountability. It infuriates me to see and hear petty debates, usually led by members of the political right. over what should be steps toward accountability and holding entities responsible based on the duties they might partake in. Being able to put that into words is something beneficial that changed after hearing Dr. 柯林斯.”

In response to what he heard about social media, 佩雷斯说,, “I always strive to be prudent on social media, but that does not mean I shy out of necessary debates. Social media is an effective tool for the spread of correct news and information, stepping away from antitrust laws and section 230 that applies to these recognizable media platforms, my view on social media hasn’t changed. I do hope that the users of the social media platforms, 有人真的, recognize that being behind a screen does not mean they are not bound or responsible for what they might say. 实际上, social media platforms are a great way to inform the public, 言论自由的要求, 例如, tends to be used as a ‘get-out-of-jail-free card’ when in reality your freedom of speech is not intended for you to say anything but for you to be able to hold your government accountable and express your views on it.” 

“Something that stuck with me from the assembly,佩雷斯说。, “was the context in which social accountability happens. Social accountability is subjective to the responsibility you hold, but it will always be a crucial aspect of an effective society where people are held responsible for their actions especially when people enter any role or level of leadership.”