Let’s Talk Bookish is a weekly meme that was originally created and hosted by Rukky @ Eternity Books starting in August 2019, and was then cohosted by Dani @ Literary Lion from May 2020 to March 2022. Since April 2022, the meme moved to another host, Aria @ Book Nook Bits. Let’s Talk Bookish is a meme where participants discuss certain topics, share their opinions, and share their love by visiting each other’s posts.
Today’s post is a little late, because I didn’t feel like blogging yesterday. Anyway, I’m going to try and say something about cancel culture in the book community. I don’t believe in cancel culture myself, so this is going to be a tough topic for me.
Prompts: What are your thoughts on cancel culture in the book community? What are its impacts on authors and readers? How does cancel culture differ from simply holding people accountable? What do authors and publishers owe their readers?
What are your thoughts on cancel culture in the book community? What are its impacts on authors and readers?
As I just stated, i don’t believe in the cancel culture. I think it’s a dangerous development, because it implies that freedom of speech is getting limited although people claim that’s not the truth. But, if someone says something that could be controversial, and they get completely canceled for it, isn’t that indeed limiting freedom of speech? We don’t know why people are saying such things. It could be for several reasons. Either they truly believe in what they’re stating, or they simply don’t know better. Like, they haven’t been educated or didn’t educate themselvves on a controversial topic. It’s especially hard to say something about a culture you don’t know a lot about. Media give us only one point of view and sometimes it’s way too hard to educate yourself. Especially if there are only essays or academic texts available and they are not available in your native language. Then, it could be hard to comprehend it. I had this particular problem with Stamped by Ibram X. Kendi. Although I’ve read the YA edition edited by Jayson Reynolds, it contains so many stats and figures that I just didn’t get it. Why? Because I’ve read it in a different language.
The impact on authors and readers can be huge. Lately, it seems people on social media are unable to form their own opinion on topics anymore. They just follow the mainstream opinions and if one influencer says something they tend to believe it for it to be the truth. So, it turns out that readers and reviewers are affraid of reviewing such books because they could get canceled forever. I take J.K. Rowling as an example. I know she said the most stupid things a few years ago. I don’t agree with any of them, but I still enjoy Harry Potter. Why? Because these books are a huge part of my teenage years. I’m able to seperate the art from the artist. When I happen to review a book that turns out to be problematic, I notify my readers that I’m aware of said book being problematic, but that my review is based on my own reading experience. This way, Igive out a honest opinion without adding up to the cancel culture. I believe everyone should be able to express their own thoughts in their little corner of the internet. However, you should keep it respectful at all times. Cancel culture could ruin an author’s career as well.
How does cancel culture differ from simply holding people accountable?
It’s a huge difference. When holding people accountable, you leave room for a discussion or honest conversation. You give people the chance to learn more about something they probably don’t know that much of. Statements are often not made with bad intentions in mind and cancel culture seems to forget about that. People get bashed and there’s no room for any conversation. So, that’s why it’s so dangerous.
What do authors and publishers owe their readers?
I don’t believe authors and publishers do owe their readers that much. Yes, books that are really really problematic should never see the light of day. Publishers should know that and shouldn’t be affraid to decline such a manuscript. However, when a book gets published and turns out to be problematic for certain people, these people just should take their own responsibility and stay away from it. It’s not a reason to cancel anyone to be honest.
So, these are my thoughts on the cancel culture in the book community. I know I’m not a Gen Z person and therefore my views on this topic could differ from the younger generation, but that’s probably exactly where the problem lies. It seems like cancel culture is not something the older generations take part in.
What do you think about cancel culture?
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